BJP may test Opposition with Om Birla in Lok Sabha Speaker poll

BJP assesses tough time ahead in parliament

By Manish Anand

New Delhi, June 20: The inaugural session of the 18^th Lok Sabha will commence from June 24. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has assessed the challenges for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre from an assertive Opposition in the wake of the Lok Sabha poll verdict.

The Lok Sabha will elect the next Speaker of the House on June 26. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is comfortably placed to help elect one from its ranks for the post of the Speaker.

Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh held a key meeting of the top heads of the BJP to assess the political challenges in parliament. It has been reliably learnt that the BJP mandarins believe tough times lie ahead for the government in parliament.

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“The BJP will reach out to the Opposition to build a consensus in the election for the post of the Lok Sabha Speaker. This will be the first test to assess the strength of the Opposition unity,” said a senior BJP functionary.

The saffron outfit is mulling to pitchfork Om Birla, the Speaker of the 17^th Lok Sabha, as the consensus candidate. “Since the Opposition parties are familiar with Birla, he could be a possible nominee to begin discussions with stakeholders on the election for the Speaker’s post,” suggested the BJP leader.

The BJP leaders are, however, aware that Birla’s name in the fray will send the Opposition squirming. “The name of Birla may send the Opposition on the defensive. That could slot them to agree to the eventual official nominee of the NDA,” sources in the ruling alliance said.

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Birla often invited the ire of the Opposition members during the 17^th Lok Sabha. The Opposition parties often lamented that mic would be switched off when members from their ranks sought to raise issues.

On the watch of Birla, the memberships of the former Congress president, Rahul Gandhi, and the Trinamool Congress leader, Mahua Moitra, were terminated allegedly in hurried manners. Gandhi’s membership was subsequently reinstated.

Moitra has won the Lok Sabha elections to enter the lower House of parliament again.

Besides, Birla’s conduct in the chair had also triggered wide criticism for failing to act against the BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri. The BJP MP had rained religiously-toned expletives against the then Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Danish Ali.

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About The Author

Manish Anand

Manish Anand is a senior journalist with more than two decades of hardcore reporting on beats such as Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament, BJP, Congress, Planning Commission, NITI Aayog, and scores of Union Ministries.

His past has been with The New Indian Express, The Asian Age/Deccan Chronicle, and The Statesman.

For about 15 years, Manish was also a regular commentator and host for talks on AIR on foreign affairs.

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