The government is likely to name the Speaker of the Lok Sabha on June 26 -- two days after parliament convenes, sources have told NDTV. Sources said several names are doing the rounds, including that of Om Birla, who was the Speaker in the last term. Besides, Bhatruhari Mahtab and D Purandeshwari -- leaders from the two states that top the BJP's 'thank you list' -- are also in the running, sources said.
Mr Mahtab is a key Odisha leader who joined the BJP from Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal. Ms Purandeshwari is the chief of the party's Andhra Pradesh unit. Both are states where the BJP achieved spectacular results in the recently concluded general elections. In a first, the party has formed the state government in Odisha as well, ending the 24-year rule of the BJD.
Sources said on June 26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will move the motion on the name of the Speaker. After the motion is accepted, he would introduce his Council of Ministers to the House.
While technically a Speaker can be elected, such an event has not happened in the country. An election is likely only if the Opposition names its own candidate.
This time, the Opposition is demanding that a Deputy Speaker be named and off the record, leaders have said they will force an election if the government does not accept. The post is traditionally held by the Opposition party.
The Opposition is also trying to fan the aspirations of BJP ally Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party, which initially had its eye on the post. The other big NDA ally, Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United, which was in a similar situation, has apparently accepted that the post will go to a BJP leader.
Till a Speaker is named, Congress's K Suresh will be named the pro tem speaker when the 18th parliament is convened on June 24, sources said. The 68-year-old MP from Kerala's Mavelikara is the longest-serving member of parliament.
He will be administered the oath of office by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan before parliament is convened. He, in turn, will administer the oath to the Prime Minister's Council of Ministers and other MPs.
