Lok Sabha Speaker Elections Set For June 26; Opposition Presses TDP, JD(U) To Contest For The Post

The election for the new Lok Sabha Speaker is scheduled for June 26, two days after the start of the new Parliament session. The 18th Lok Sabha session will commence on June 24, marking the first session for the newly elected MPs following the 2024 general elections.

An official press release stated that, based on the government’s business needs, the Parliament session is set to conclude on Wednesday, July 3. During this session, all newly elected Lok Sabha MPs will take their oaths.

President Droupadi Murmu will address a joint session of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on June 27, following the appointment of the new Speaker. Her speech is expected to outline the government’s likely roadmap for the next five years.

Typically, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected in the first meeting of the new MPs. Until the new Speaker is chosen, an MP, usually the most senior in experience, is appointed as the pro-tem Speaker of the House. The pro-tem Speaker oversees the initial sessions of the Lok Sabha and conducts the election for the new Speaker and deputy Speaker.

The government has yet to announce a candidate for the position of Lok Sabha Speaker. However, opposition parties are encouraging NDA allies JD(U) and TDP to nominate their own candidates.

On Monday, AAP urged the ruling NDA constituents TDP and JD(U) to ensure that the Lok Sabha Speaker is chosen from one of their parties, stating that this would benefit both the Constitution and democracy. Congress and Shiv Sena (UBP), part of the INDIA bloc, made similar suggestions.

Former Rajasthan chief minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot also stated that if the BJP retains the Lok Sabha Speaker post, NDA partners TDP and JD(U) should be prepared for potential horse-trading of their MPs.