Parliament Session 2024: After the Lok Sabha elections, the political atmosphere has heated up over the election of the Speaker. Last night, Rajnath Singh took the initiative of consensus on behalf of the NDA. He called Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The issue was about getting support in the Speaker's election. This morning it seemed that everything was set. As the clock was approaching noon, a strange restlessness was seen in the opposition. Rahul Gandhi came forward and said that the opposition was waiting for the call. After some time at noon, it was known that Om Birla from the NDA and K. Suresh from the opposition had also filed their nominations. This is the first time that the Speaker is being elected in the country. In such a situation, it is interesting to understand how things went wrong between the ruling party and the opposition.

Things seemed to be working out because today Rahul said that the opposition had decided to support the Speaker's post. However, now it is clear that tomorrow, June 26, voting will be held at 11 am for the election of the Lok Sabha Speaker. For the second time in a row, Om Birla has been put forward by the NDA while the opposition has fielded senior leader K. Suresh. Suresh is the same leader whom the opposition was demanding to be made the Deputy Speaker. 

Kharge ji has Rajnath's phone

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi told the media in the Parliament premises at around 11 am today that Mallikarjun Kharge received a call from Union Minister Rajnath Singh. Rajnath Singh ji asked Kharge ji for support for his speaker. The opposition has clearly said that we will support the speaker but the opposition should get a deputy speaker. Rajnath Singh ji had said yesterday evening that he would return Kharge ji's call. Kharge ji has not received any reply yet. PM Modi is saying that there should be constructive cooperation, but our leader is being insulted. The intention is not clear. Narendra Modi ji does not want any constructive cooperation. It is a tradition that the deputy speaker should be from the opposition. The opposition has said that if the tradition is maintained, we will give full support.

The ruling party showed its attitude

After some time, the news came that there was no consensus on the post of Speaker. The leaders of the ruling party showed their attitude. Union Minister Piyush Goyal said, 'First decide who will be the Deputy Speaker, then support will be given to the Speaker, we condemn this type of politics... The Speaker does not belong to any ruling party or the opposition, he belongs to the entire House, similarly, the Deputy Speaker also does not belong to any party or group, he belongs to the entire House. It is not in any tradition of the Lok Sabha that the Deputy Speaker should be from a particular party only.'

After some time, Union Minister Rajnath Singh responded to Rahul Gandhi's comment and said, 'Mallikarjun Kharge is a senior leader and I respect him. I have spoken to him three times since yesterday.'

What is the reason behind this move of Congress+?

Congress feels that if we field our candidate, there can be a split in the NDA. Parties like TDP may remain absent if they are not in support or they intend to put pressure on the government. If sources are to be believed, the government argued that the opposition has put forth its point, let the Speaker's election happen now when the Deputy Speaker is elected then the Congress+'s points will be considered but if you want a decision today itself then the government will not accept it. 

It seems that Rahul Gandhi feared that the government would get a consensus on the Speaker and would not give the Deputy Speaker a post. It means there is a lack of trust from both sides. Both want to keep their alliance united. Rajnath Singh took the initiative but he failed. The ruling party feels that no matter what you do, we have the numbers. On the other hand, the opposition is thinking that if we contest the Speaker's election, there will be a stir in the government camp. We will increase the tension of the government's strategists for at least 24 hours. It is clear that the opposition parties, excited by the increase in seats in the Lok Sabha, will not leave any opportunity to corner the government this time.