In a significant political move, the YSR Congress Party, led by former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, has announced its support for BJP MP Om Birla in the upcoming election for the Lok Sabha Speaker’s post. Sources close to the development informed NDTV on Tuesday evening about this decision, which comes ahead of the scheduled election on Wednesday.
Despite facing a setback in the recent elections, where their rival TDP emerged victorious, the YSRCP remains influential with its four MPs in the Lower House. The party, which dominated Andhra Pradesh in the 2019 polls with 22 out of 25 seats, has aligned strategically with the BJP on various occasions in Parliament, particularly in facilitating the passage of key legislations when the BJP lacked a majority.
The support from YSRCP, though adding just four votes to BJP’s already secured numbers, underscores a broader trend of collaboration between regional parties and the BJP. Similar support has been seen from other parties like Odisha’s BJD, albeit under different circumstances this election cycle.
Om Birla, who previously served as the Speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha, faces competition from Kodikunnil Suresh of the Congress in this election. The opposition had initially sought a consensus on Birla’s candidacy, conditioned upon the appointment of a non-BJP Deputy Speaker, which the BJP declined at this time.
The election for the Speaker is set to be decided by a simple majority vote, with the BJP and its allies commanding a formidable lead. This decision marks a crucial step in shaping the dynamics of the 18th Lok Sabha, highlighting the interplay of alliances and strategies crucial in parliamentary proceedings.