In the lead-up to the election for the Lok Sabha Speaker, senior leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are actively engaging with their allies within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Sources have revealed to CNN-News18 that the NDA partners have pledged their unwavering support to the candidate that the BJP nominates for the Speaker post.

“Allies have been called to seek their suggestions for the candidate for the Speaker post. However, most of the allies have not given any preference or choice of a particular person,” sources said.

The consensus among the NDA partners is to maintain unity under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. They have conveyed that any decision made by Modi regarding the Speaker post will be acceptable to all alliance members. Additionally, the BJP has proposed offering the Deputy Speaker post to one of the NDA partners, although the opposition is expected to contest this as well, given their significant numbers.

Acknowledging the stronger opposition this term, some senior Parliamentarians within the NDA have emphasized the need for a Speaker candidate who can garner broad consensus. “2014 and 2019 were different when BJP had an absolute majority in Lok Sabha. But this time there will be a more buoyant and aggressive opposition supported by good numbers. Therefore, the Speaker post becomes even more important,” a few alliance partners have conveyed to the government.

The special session of Parliament, set to commence on June 24, will primarily focus on the affirmation of oaths for all elected members. The election for the Speaker is scheduled for June 26. The current Speaker, Om Birla, has held the position for the past five years.

Before the Speaker election, a Protem Speaker, typically the senior-most member, will preside over the House for the first three days. Government sources have indicated efforts to seek consensus from all political parties, including the opposition, for the election of the Speaker. Union Defence Minister and Deputy Leader of the Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh, will lead these efforts.

Recently, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju met with the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. On June 26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to propose the NDA candidate for the Speaker post, with senior minister Rajnath Singh seconding the motion. The opposition’s candidate, if any, will also be proposed.

Should the opposition nominate a candidate, a vote will determine the Speaker. Without an opposition candidate, the Speaker will be elected by a show of hands.

Following the election on June 26, Prime Minister Modi will introduce his Council of Ministers in the Lok Sabha. Rajya Sabha will resume on June 27, with President Droupadi Murmu delivering a joint address to both houses of Parliament. The session will conclude on July 3, with discussions on the Motion of Thanks and Prime Minister Modi’s responses in both houses.

Parliament is set to reconvene on July 22 for the presentation of the Union Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.