New Delhi: The election for the post of Speaker – a rare event in the history of the Lok Sabha – will take place today, with a recharged Opposition forcing a contest. The numbers, though, appear to give the government an advantage.
This time, the contest will be between the BJP’s Om Birla, three-time MP from Rajasthan’s Kota, and the Speaker in the last Lok Sabha and Congress’s eight-term MP from Kerala’s Mavelikara, K Suresh. The BJP is seen to have picked Mr Birla to reinforce the message of continuity.
The Speaker is elected by simple majority taking into account the number of MPs present and voting. Seven MPs – five from the Opposition and two Independents – have not taken oath and cannot vote, sources have said.
While the Opposition has 232 seats, the NDA has 293 MPs. It is also expected to have the support of the four MPs of YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s YSR Congress.
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