Lok Sabha Speaker Election: Om Birla vs Kodikunnil Suresh

The race for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker intensifies as Om Birla of the NDA files his nomination, backed unanimously by NDA parties. Birla, a Kota MP, previously held the position and is poised for re-election amid opposition from the INDIA bloc, represented by Congress’s Kodikunnil Suresh. The Opposition, led by Congress’s K.C. Venugopal, has declared its intent to contest the Speaker’s election, criticizing the government’s reluctance on appointing the Deputy Speaker from their ranks.

Rajnath Singh’s efforts to broker a consensus were rebuffed by Venugopal and DMK’s T.R. Baalu, highlighting the contentious nature of the proceedings. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed willingness to support the government’s choice for Speaker if the Deputy Speaker post is allotted to the Opposition, underscoring the demand for adherence to parliamentary conventions amidst political maneuvering.