The BJP formed its first and second governments within 10 and seven days of the election results, respectively. Despite not securing a majority this time, they swiftly held discussions with key allies like N Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP and Nitish Kumar’s JDU to finalize ministerial positions. Remarkably, the BJP convened a full cabinet of 72 ministers just four days after the election outcome.
The key question is, who will become the Lok Sabha Speaker? Reports suggest the TDP and JDU, influential in this election, are eyeing the position. However, BJP sources indicate a reluctance to hand it over.
The Speaker’s post becomes vacant before the new Lok Sabha convenes. A Pro-tem Speaker appointed by the President administers the oath to new MPs. A Lok Sabha Speaker is then elected by a simple majority, with no specific criteria but knowledge of the Constitution and parliamentary rules being advantageous.
In recent BJP-majority Lok Sabhas, Sumitra Mahajan and Om Birla served as Speakers.
The Lok Sabha Speaker’s role is complex. While expected to be impartial, the occupant usually comes from a party background. N Sanjiva Reddy resigned from Congress upon becoming Speaker. Others like PA Sangma, Somnath Chatterjee, and Meira Kumar claimed allegiance to the House over their parties. Chatterjee’s non-partisan stance led to his expulsion from the CPM during a 2008 no-confidence motion.
N Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar, seasoned politicians, seek the Speaker’s post as a form of ‘insurance.’ Recent years have seen numerous instances of rebellion within ruling parties, leading to splits and government upheavals. The anti-defection law grants significant power to the Speaker, empowering them to decide on disqualification cases due to defection.
Nitish Kumar has previously accused the BJP of attempting to destabilize his party. These political stalwarts aim to avoid potential mutinies by securing the Speaker’s post as a protective measure.