JD(U), TDP Vie For Lok Sabha Speaker Post Amid Swift NDA 3.0 Cabinet Formation, Here's Why

Despite falling short of a majority, the BJP formed a cabinet of 72 NDA ministers within four days. However, the crucial Lok Sabha Speaker's post remains vacant, with allies TDP and JDU vying for it.

The BJP has managed to swear in a full cabinet of 72 ministers just four days after the verdict, despite falling short of a majority in the recent elections. This achievement comes in stark contrast to the previous Narendra Modi administrations, which took 10 and seven days respectively after the poll results to be sworn in. This time, the BJP's top leadership had to engage in extensive discussions with allies, particularly N Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United (JDU), to finalise ministerial positions.

However, a significant question remains unresolved: who will occupy the Lok Sabha Speaker's post? Both the TDP and JDU, emerging as kingmakers in this election, are vying for the influential position, according to multiple reports. 

Lok Sabha Speaker Post

The position of Lok Sabha Speaker is complex and delicate. The Speaker is expected to run the House in a non-partisan manner, despite being elected as a representative of a particular party.

The process of electing the Speaker is one of the first acts of a new Lok Sabha. Initially, a pro-tem speaker, usually the longest-serving MP, is chosen to preside over the initial meetings, administer oaths to new MPs, and conduct the Speaker's election. The Speaker then becomes the principal spokesperson and interpreter of the House's rules, holding significant authority over proceedings and disqualification matters under the anti-defection law.

G.V. Mavalankar of the Indian National Congress (INC) was the first Speaker of independent India. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy of the Janata Party was the first non-Congress Speaker, albeit for a brief period. Reddy resigned from the Congress after being elected Speaker of the fourth Lok Sabha.

Others, like PA Sangma, Somnath Chatterjee, and Meira Kumar, did not resign formally but maintained they represented the whole House rather than a single party.

Balram Jakhar of INC(I) holds the record for the longest tenure, serving nearly a decade across two Lok Sabhas. GMC Balayogi’s term under Vajpayee's government marked him as the first Dalit Speaker. Somnath Chatterjee of the CPI(M)  during his term in the 14th Lok Sabha was expelled from his party for his refusal to resign amid political disagreements during the 2008 no-confidence motion against the then-UPA government.

 In the last two Lok Sabhas, Sumitra Mahajan and Om Birla, both from the BJP, served as Speakers.

 Why Are NDA Allies Eyeing Lok Sabha Speaker Post?

N Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar, both seasoned politicians, are believed to be keen on the Speaker's post as a form of 'insurance'. Recent years have seen numerous instances of internal rebellions within ruling parties, leading to splits and even government collapses such as in Maharashtra where Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar-led NCP split.

In such scenarios, the anti-defection law plays a crucial role, granting substantial power to the Speaker of the House. "Chairman or the Speaker of the House have absolute power in deciding the cases pertaining to disqualification of members on the ground of defection," as per the law.

When the ruling party holds a clear majority, the Speaker's role is often viewed as ceremonial. However, in coalition governments, the Speaker's impartiality and authority become critical. Traditionally, the Speaker’s post is allotted to the ruling alliance, while the Deputy Speaker is from the Opposition, although this is not mandated by any rule.  

In a notable precedent, TDP’s GMC Balayogi served as the Speaker during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister, a period marked by coalition management under the NDA. The TDP may cite this instance to demand the post for itself. Meanwhile, this post is important for JD(U) as its President Nitish Kumar has previously accused the BJP of attempting to break his party when he last quit the NDA only to return to the fold before the Lok Sabha elections 2024.