The formation of Modi cabinet 3.0 was done with a lot of deliberation. On the other hand, the Opposition has been trying to corner BJP on the question of Speaker in the 18th Lok Sabha. Taking a decisive step, the BJP has decided to keep the Lok Sabha Speaker post and is planning to assign the Deputy Speaker role to one of its allies.
According to sources, it is a strategy of BJP to send a message to the Opposition. BJP is trying to make the Opposition comprehend that the post of Deputy Speaker might go TDP or JD(U).
The government will, however, try to build a consensus on both the posts. The responsibility of building a consensus has been given to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as his relations with the Opposition have been cordial. This indicates that in Modi 3.0 Rajnath will act as a bridge between the government and the Opposition.
Given the Opposition’s current stance, it seems unlikely that the government will be able to run the Parliament smoothly this time as well. The situation will become clearer after the election of the Lok Sabha Speaker, scheduled for June 26. During Prime Minister Modi’s last two terms, the BJP had a majority, so there were no issues. However, in his first term, Prime Minister Modi allocated the Deputy Speaker position to the AIADMK, a BJP ally.
Then Thambi Durai was the deputy speaker. But in the second tenure, the post of deputy speaker remained vacant.
This time BJP could not get majority on its own strength, as a result of which it had to form the government with the help of allies.
The Opposition emerged strong and it is playing politics of pressure on the government for the post of Deputy Speaker.
The strategy of the Opposition is to keep the pressure on the government from the very first day. Therefore, the opposition leaders have definitely tried to provoke the BJP allies in the government, but they do not seem to be successful in their efforts. JDU’s KC Tyagi has made it clear that he will support the BJP candidate.
Regarding the TDP, there are two potential scenarios. If there is a consensus on D Purandeswari, the TDP might offer the Deputy Speaker post to another BJP ally. If no agreement is reached on Purandeswari, the BJP will propose other candidates, and the TDP could be offered the Deputy Speaker position.
Om Birla is making significant efforts from the BJP’s side. After Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President JP Nadda visited Birla’s official residence on Monday, speculation grew that Birla might get another chance.
However, the final decision is yet to be made. Besides Birla, Radha Mohan Singh and Ravi Shankar Prasad are also being considered.