Key for NDA’s third stint, TDP and JD(U) push case for Speaker’s post as insurance

The TDP and JD(U), two parties key to the third successive stint of the NDA at the Centre, have decided to press for the post of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Sources said the two parties have already indicated to the BJP leadership that the Speaker’s post should be offered to alliance partners – TDP’s GMC Balayogi was Speaker when Atal Bihari Vajpaye was heading a coalition government in the late 1990s.

This move, sources said, is to “insulate” the alliance partners from any possible split in the future. The Speaker’s role is crucial in the anti-defection law because the time and nature of the final decision is entirely a call that can be taken by the Speaker.

Sources said both TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar have “sounded out “ some of the other allies of the BJP regarding the Speaker post move.

It is not clear whether Naidu and Kumar will raise this demand officially at the NDA meeting which is to be held in New Delhi Wednesday. Both leaders are expected to attend the meeting.

On the issue of defection, even the Supreme Court has limited powers. There have been instances where allegations were made that the Speaker played a partisan role in deciding disqualification petitions. Last year, the Supreme Court gave Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar a final opportunity to hear and decide the anti-defection proceedings against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his MLAs who had broken away from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, bringing down his government. The delay in hearing these petitions ensured a split in the party, allowing Shinde to stake claim and form the government in Maharashtra.

The post of Speaker, the constitutional and ceremonial head of the Lok