Om Birla Set to Become Speaker of 18th Lok Sabha Amid Opposition Challenge

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders are confident that Om Birla will be elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. The election is scheduled to be held today.

Leaders’ Statements

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Election will take place, we should wait for the result.”

Union Minister Chirag Paswan emphasized that the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is for the whole house and should be chosen unanimously. He blamed the opposition for the current situation, stating, “They do not have enough numbers.”

Union Minister Anupriya Patel expressed confidence in Om Birla’s leadership, stating, “Om Birla will lead the 18th Lok Sabha.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda also showed their support for Birla.

Opposition Criticism

BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai criticized the opposition for breaking conventions, saying, “Normally the Speaker is not contested but this time the Opposition is breaking all the conventions.”

BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut expressed her excitement and confidence in Birla’s victory, stating, “We will win as our party is in power.”

Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde also criticized the opposition for breaking the tradition of electing the Speaker unanimously.

Majority Numbers

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