Om Birla, three-time BJP MP from Kota, was re-elected Lok Sabha Speaker for a second consecutive term in a contest that was not to be as the opposition flinched from seeking a vote despite Congress fielding its candidate K Suresh.
There were 13 sets of proposals in favour of Birla, the first moved by PM Narendra Modi and seconded by defence minister Rajnath Singh. Other proposers were drawn from among NDA partners and BJP’s own, representing various castes.
With Congress and its allies Shiv Sena (UBT), DMK, NCP and RSP proposing the candidature of Suresh amid strong indications of their desire to make it a play on his Dalit background, a contest - the first in almost five decades - seemed imminent. An effort involving Congress’s K C Venugopal and DMK’s T R Baalu from the opposition side and Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah and J P Nadda to evolve a consensus had failed with govt again turning down the demand that the deputy speaker be from the opposition.
But Congress did not press for a vote, despite an attempt by Union minister for animal husbandry Rajiv Ranjan Singh ‘Lalan’ to bait them into seeking one, leading to the 62-year-old Birla being elected by voice vote.
TMC’s decision not to propose Suresh in protest against Congress unilaterally declaring him to be the challenger to Birla appeared to be the main reason for the latter not to force a contest. Modi congratulated Birla on his re-election and expressed confidence that he would guide parliamentarians and play a big role in the House to fulfil people’s expectations.
After his election, Om Birla told members that there should be a new vision and resolve for the 18th Lok Sabha. He called for Lok Sabha to be a centre of creative thinking and new ideas, which would establish high levels of parliamentary traditions and dignity. Modi and parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju were joined by leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi in escorting Birla to the Speaker’s chair after his election, marking a moment of harmony. Birla got a second consecutive term, the fifth time that a Speaker will serve beyond the tenure of one Lok Sabha. It is also among the few occasions that an election became necessary for a post conventionally decided by consensus.
Birla, who has risen through the ranks in BJP, is also a three-term former Rajasthan MLA. The opposition's last-minute decision to go for a contest came after senior BJP leaders did not agree to the precondition that the INDIA bloc must be offered the post of deputy speaker in lieu of supporting Birla.
