There seems to be an end to the uncertainty prevailing over the next Lok Sabha speaker as sources suggest that Kota MP Om Birla is expected to be the Speaker again.
Amid reports that Defence Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh was attempting to build a consensus over the posts of both Speaker and deputy speaker, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the opposition will support the government on the Lok Sabha Speaker's choice if they give the deputy speaker's post to the opposition bloc.
"Rajnath Singh called Mallikarjun Kharge, and he asked him to extend support to the Speaker. The entire Opposition said we would support the Speaker, but the convention is that the deputy speaker post should be given to the opposition. Rajnath Singh said that he would call back Kharge, but he has not done that yet," Rahul Gandhi has been quoted as saying.
Besides Kharge, Singh also spoke to DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin among other opposition leaders in an effort to build a consensus.
Meanwhile, Birla met Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid indications that he will again be the NDA's candidate for the post.
According to sources, if Birla files nomination for the post, he is likely to be elected unopposed as the opposition INDIA bloc may not name its own candidate, letting the NDA nominee to get elected unopposed.
A few days ago, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had pitched for a consensus for the post saying, "It is always better if there is a consensus."
