New Delhi: The opposition INDIA bloc is unlikely to contest the Lok Sabha Speaker’s post, making the NDA nominee likely to be elected unopposed, sources reported Tuesday ahead of the nomination filing for the key position.
The Opposition, however, has demanded the right to choose the Deputy Speaker.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reached out to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge late Monday night to seek the opposition’s support on the issue. Singh, however, provided no assurance regarding the Deputy Speaker’s post, according to sources.
There was no Deputy Speaker in the previous tenure.
The NDA candidate for the pivotal parliamentary role will submit his nomination on Tuesday. In addition to Kharge, Singh also communicated with DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Stalin, among other opposition leaders, to build consensus.
Despite enjoying a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has given little indication of its candidate, weighing its options carefully to avoid giving the opposition any leverage for a political attack.
A sentiment within some NDA leaders suggests that Om Birla, the Speaker of the previous Lok Sabha, might be nominated again, although no official statement has been made regarding this possibility.
