Congress backs NDA candidate for LS Speaker post

In a surprising show of support, Congress leader of Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Choudhary, on Tuesday, has extended his party's favour for NDA's Lok Sabha Speaker candidate Om Birla. Choudhary, who was elected as by his party to lead in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday said to reporters:

" Our party has moved in favour of Om Birla as Speaker of Lok Sabha."

Two-time Kota MP Om Birla To Be NDA's Nominee For Speaker Of 17th Lok Sabha, Fence-sitter Parties Extend Support

Earlier in the day, Republic has learned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed the name of Kota MP Om Birla as NDA candidate for the post of the speaker of 17th Lok Sabha. Along with PM Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari have also extended support to the proposal for Om Birla's appointment as speaker of 17th Lok Sabha. 

Sources have told that leading Opposition parties including Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janta Dal (BJD), AP CM Jagan-led YSRCP have also extended support to Om Birla's candidature for the post of Lok Sabha speaker. Meanwhile, NDA parties which have given their consent include National People's Party, Mizo National Front, Lok Janshakti Party, JDU, AIADMK, Shiv Sena, Akali Dal, and Apna Dal. 

Furthermore, speaking to news agency ANI, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said that he has met Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad in the matter of the appointment of Om Birla as Lok Sabha speaker, adding that while the Grand Old Party has not signed the proposal yet but they won't oppose it.  

Congress Names Its Sole West Bengal MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury As Its Leader In 17th Lok Sabha Amid Rahul Gandhi's Unwillingness

On the other hand, Congress on Tuesday appointed its lone MP from West Bengal Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury as the leader of the party in the 17th Lok Sabha, on the second day of the Lower House of Parliament.

In a letter written to the Lok Sabha, Congress has stated that Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury will be the leader of the party in the Lower house and on all important selection committee including the CBI and CVC among others. He has replaced senior party leader and former Congress leader of Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge after he was defeated by BJP's Umesh Jadhav from Gulbarga, Karnataka by a margin of 95,452 votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. 

The 17th Lok Sabha's first session started on Monday where PM Modi along with over 300 Lok Sabha MPs took their oath into office.

(With ANI Inputs)