Cracks in INDIA Bloc as TMC Slams Congress Over ‘Unilateral’ Speaker Nomination

New Delhi: Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee expressed dissatisfaction on Tuesday, stating that his party was not consulted by the Congress before nominating K Suresh as the Opposition’s candidate for the Lok Sabha Speaker election. “We were not asked about this; there was no discussion. Unfortunately, this is a unilateral decision,” Banerjee remarked outside Parliament.

Earlier in the day, the Opposition INDIA bloc put forward Congress leader K Suresh to contest against BJP’s Om Birla for the Speaker’s position. Despite efforts from the BJP-led NDA to secure endorsement for Birla, the Opposition refused, highlighting the breach of the convention where the Deputy Speaker’s position is typically offered to the Opposition.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attempted to mediate by meeting Congress leader KC Venugopal and DMK’s TR Baalu to forge a consensus, but the Opposition leaders walked out, insisting on securing the Deputy Speaker role first.

Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Lalan Singh criticized the Congress for setting conditions, yet indicated willingness to negotiate the Deputy Speaker role when its election arises.

With the election scheduled for 11 am on Wednesday, Om Birla is expected to win given the NDA’s majority in the Lower House. Birla requires 271 votes out of 542 (with the Wayanad seat vacant) to secure the position. The NDA, holding 293 seats, faces little difficulty against the INDIA bloc’s 233 members.