Today in Politics: All eyes on NDA pick for Speaker post, INDIA bloc’s move; HC to rule on Kejriwal bail

The stage is set for the ruling BJP-led NDA to announce its candidate for the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha on Tuesday, which would see the filing of nomination for the key post.

The BJP has already begun consultations with its NDA allies on their nominee for the Speaker’s post, which would be from the party. The Opposition INDIA bloc is also considering its options and may force a contest if their demand for a Deputy Speaker’s post for their nominee is not accepted by the Narendra Modi dispensation.

While the BJP kept its cards close to its chest, the INDIA camp indicated that it would take a call on its possible candidate for the Speaker’s post and a contest depending on the NDA’s stance.

Senior RSP MP N K Premachandran said the Opposition may contest for the Speaker’s post if the Modi government does not make any effort to build a consensus on the candidate. The RSP is an INDIA ally.

On Monday, the first day of the first session of the new Lok Sabha, the House saw a marked change. From just two rows of seats through the last decade, the Opposition was now occupying more than a third of the House benches.

The Opposition pulled out of the panel to assist the Pro tem Speaker, Bhartruhari Mahtab, in protest against appointing Mahtab, the seven-term MP from the BJP, while ignoring the claim of the eight-term MP from the Congress, Kodikunnil Suresh, for the position.

Among the front-runners for the Speaker’s post are BJP leaders Radha Mohan Singh, D Purandeswari and even Om Birla, the former Lok Sabha Speaker. The INDIA bloc may pitch for K Suresh as its candidate in the event of a contest. The NDA has 293 MPs in the House while the INDIA alliance has 233 MPs.

The Speaker’s election is scheduled for Wednesday. On Tuesday, the