The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has instructed its Members of Parliament (MPs) to be present in the Parliament from 11am onwards tomorrow for the election of the Lok Sabha Speaker.
Harish Balayogi, TDP's Whip, issued a three-line whip directing all party MPs to attend and vote for Shri Om Birla, the NDA candidate, during the upcoming Speaker elections on June 26, 2024. The MPs are required to assemble at Room Number 111-B in the Parliamentary office by 10:30 AM, according to the official release.
TDP, an ally in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), joins other parties in preparing for the crucial election. Earlier today, both the BJP and Congress also issued similar three-line whips to their MPs to ensure their presence in Parliament.
The opposition INDIA bloc, having failed to reach consensus on BJP MP Om Birla's appointment, has nominated Congress MP K Suresh for the Speaker's post. Their demand for the Deputy Speaker's position remains unresolved, prompting the nomination of K Suresh for the top parliamentary role.
Om Birla, BJP's Kota MP and the previous Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha, has been nominated by the BJP for the Speaker's post. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi indicated their willingness to support NDA's candidate under the condition that the Deputy Speaker position is given to the opposition.
Speaking to the media, Rahul Gandhi highlighted the opposition's stance conveyed to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, emphasising the need for cooperative engagement. He criticised the treatment of opposition leaders, citing instances of alleged disrespect despite Prime Minister Modi's call for constructive cooperation.
Currently, BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab is serving as the pro-tem speaker until the election of the new Speaker on June 26. The NDA, with 293 MPs in the 543-member Lok Sabha, holds a significant majority, while the opposition INDIA bloc comprises 234 MPs.
The elections for the Speaker's post are set to determine the leadership of the lower house of India's Parliament amidst significant political manoeuvring and strategic alliances.
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