YSR Congress Party Extends Support to Om Birla in Heated Lok Sabha Speaker Election

The Lok Sabha Speaker election has taken an unexpected turn as the YSR Congress Party, spearheaded by former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, has announced their support for Kota MP Om Birla in the upcoming heated election on June 26. This decision comes amidst the rare contest for the Speaker’s post with Congress member Kodikunnil Suresh posing as the opposition candidate against NDA‘s nominee Om Birla.

With YSRCP‘s backing, Om Birla now secures the support of four more Lok Sabha members, bringing his total count to 297 votes and paving the way for his re-election as the Lok Sabha Speaker.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed disappointment in Defence Minister Rajnath Singh‘s failure to offer assurance on the opposition party’s claim to the Deputy Speaker’s position. Despite appeals from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, the opposition remains firm in their decision to contest.

The Lok Sabha holds a simple majority vote to elect the Speaker, requiring over half of the 543 members present to vote in favor for the candidate to secure the position. The NDA boasts a decisive majority with 293 MPs, while the opposition bloc, represented by 234 legislators, stands in opposition.

If the numbers hold in favor of the NDA, Om Birla is bound to secure the Lok Sabha Speaker position for a second term. Having been elected as an MP from Kota in 2014, Om Birla was unanimously chosen as the Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha upon his return as an MP.

The contest for the Speaker’s post is a rare occurrence in Independent India, with elections to the position only being witnessed three times – in 1952, 1967, and 1976. Amidst heightened tensions, the Lok Sabha braces for a landmark election to determine its presiding officer.