Election For New Lok Sabha Speaker Election Set For June 26

According to Article 93 of the Constitution, the Speaker's position becomes vacant just before the new Lok Sabha convenes for its first session.

File Photo Of Speaker Of 17th Lok Sabha, Om Birla

Source : PTI Images

The election for the new Lok Sabha speaker is all set to occur on June 26. The upcoming parliamentary session, following the formation of the 18th Lok Sabha and the swearing-in of the third consecutive BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government, is slated to commence on June 24 and is likely to span eight days. 

According to Article 93 of the Constitution, the Speaker's position becomes vacant just before the new Lok Sabha convenes for its first session. Consequently, the President will appoint a Pro-term Speaker to administer the oath of office to the newly elected Members of Parliament. Radha Mohan Singh, a former union minister and seven-term Bharatiya Janata Party MP, is likely to assume this role due to his seniority. 

During the initial two days of the session, the newly elected Lok Sabha members will take their oaths. Subsequently, on June 26, the election for the Speaker is scheduled to take place. Om Birla, who served as Speaker during the 17th Lok Sabha, is a key candidate for the position. 

There has been speculation that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Janata Dal (United) are eyeing the Speaker's post, wary of potential attempts by the BJP to poach their MPs. Despite rumours surrounding GM Harish Balayogi and other TDP leaders, the party has not made an official statement regarding their candidacy. 

For the BJP, securing the Speaker's post is crucial, given its fragile majority in the House with 240 seats, bolstered by NDA allies to reach a total of 293 seats. The Speaker plays a major role during parliamentary crises and holds authority to disqualify members in case of defection. 

Recently, Daggubati Purandeshwari, Andhra Pradesh BJP President and sister of TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu's wife, emerged as a new potential candidate, as media reports are mentioning her name for the post. Purandeshwari, daughter of former Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP founder NT Rama Rao, previously served as a Congress MP in 2004 and 2009 before winning as a BJP MP from Rajamundry. 

Following the election of the new Speaker on June 26, the President is likely to address the Gouse on June 27, and the economic survey is slated for tabling on July 3. The presentation of the full Budget is anticipated on July 22.