Floor leaders of INDIA bloc parties to meet at Kharge’s residence tonight

New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): Floor leaders of the Opposition bloc, the ‘Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)’, will meet today at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence following the announcement of K Suresh as their candidate for the Lok Sabha Speaker.

The meeting is scheduled for 8 pm at Kharge’s residence in Delhi, where the leaders are expected to discuss the upcoming speaker election on June 26.

The NDA, which commands 293 MPs in the 543-member Lok Sabha, holds a clear majority, while the opposition INDIA bloc comprises 234 MPs.

Efforts by the BJP’s top leadership to reach a consensus on the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha came to nought when the INDIA bloc decided to nominate 8-time MP K Suresh for the post.

His nomination followed the filing of nomination by BJP’s Kota MP Om Birla for the same position. Birla previously served as the Speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha.

This will be the first time that elections are held for the Speaker of the lower house, as traditionally the Lok Sabha Speaker and Deputy Speaker have been elected by consensus between the ruling party and the opposition.

Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that they had informed Rajnath Singh that the Opposition is prepared to support NDA’s Speaker candidate, on the condition that the Deputy Speaker position is given to the opposition.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi said, Interacting with Media on Tuesday, Rahul said, “We have said to Rajnath Singh that we will support their Speaker (candidate) but the convention is that the post of Deputy Speaker is given to the Opposition.”

Further elaborating on discussions between Rajnath Singh and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul also criticized the treatment of opposition leaders, alleging disrespect.

“Today it is written in the newspaper that PM Modi has said that the Opposition should cooperate with the government constructively. Rajnath Singh called Mallikarjun Kharge and he asked him to extend support to the Speaker. The entire Opposition said that we would support the speaker, but the convention is that the Deputy Speaker post should be given to the opposition. Rajnath Singh said that he would call back Mallikarjun Kharge but he has not done that yet…PM Modi is asking for cooperation from Opposition but our leader is getting insulted,” said Rahul Gandhi.

Congress MP KC Venugopal emphasized that the opposition is prepared to unanimously support the Speaker candidate suggested by NDA, provided they receive the Deputy Speaker position.

“We are still waiting, if they are ready to give the Deputy Speaker post, we are ready to elect the NDA’s candidate unanimously. Yesterday PM Modi talked about consensus for the smooth functioning of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. We are ready to support the Speaker suggested by the government’s side provided they should also honour the Opposition. We have witnessed for the last few years that the Speakers will be from the Govt’s side and the Deputy Speaker from the Opposition. When UPA was in power, we gave the Deputy Speaker to the NDA for 10 years. The convention is so in the Lok Sabha that the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is given to the Opposition,” he said.