Om Birla expected to submit nomination for Lok Sabha Speaker position

According to sources, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju have contacted members from various parties to build consensus on the upcoming election for the Lok Sabha Speaker. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Om Birla is expected to file his nomination for the Speaker's position on Tuesday for a second consecutive term.

Singh has reportedly discussed the matter with leaders from the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc late into Monday night to ensure agreement on Birla's candidacy. If elected, Birla, who represents Rajasthan's Kota, will be the second person in history to hold the Speaker's office twice, matching Congress leader Balram Jakhar's record from 1980 to 1989.

ALSO READ: JP Nadda appointed as Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha

Awaiting opposition's decision

The Opposition parties are waiting for the ruling party to officially nominate their candidate for the Speaker before deciding if the INDIA alliance will field its own candidate. They have until 12 noon on June 25 to submit their nominations to the pro-tem Speaker, with the election scheduled for June 26.

In the past 22 years, Birla is the only Speaker to have been re-elected to the Lok Sabha after serving a full term as Speaker. Previous Speakers have either passed away, lost elections, or retired from politics. GMC Balayogi died in office in 2002, while Manohar Joshi and Meira Kumar lost their elections. Sumitra Mahajan and Somnath Chatterjee retired after their terms. 

Om Birla's re-election would be a significant achievement, highlighting his continued support within the Lok Sabha and his party's confidence in his leadership.

ALSO READ: Indian Government imposes stock limits on pulses to curb rising prices