Opposition INDIA bloc looks set to nominate Ayodhya MP Awadhesh for deputy speaker post

The Indian Parliament is gearing up for the next key battle among the rival political groups as the new Lok Sabha settles in: The election for the post of Deputy Speaker.

After their failed bid to capture the Speaker's post, the opposition INDIA bloc is now eyeing the post of deputy s[eaker, with rumours doing rounds that the Member of Parliament (MP) from Ayodhya (Faizabad) seat Awadhesh Prasad may be nominated for the key post.

Awadhesh Prasad hails from Uttar Pradesh-based Samajwadi Party (SP). His victory in the recently concluded general elections became the talk of the town as he conquered a seat where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) inaugurated the grand Ram Temple just months ago.

If the INDIA bloc agrees to back Awadhesh as their joint candidate for the Deputy Speaker post, the BJP would be facing a candidate with strong political and symbolic capability.

According to reports, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a fierce rival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has also supported the nomination of Awadhesh Prasad.

However, it must be noted that the central government has not yet announced the schedule of the election for the post of Deputy Speaker.

If the INDIA bloc manages to get its candidate elected to the post, it would be considered a big win for the loosely-held alliance and a big setback for the BJP.

A deputy speaker holds similar legislative powers as a speaker and takes on administrative powers when the speaker is absent due to death, illness, or any other reason.

As per parliamentary tradition, the ruling party offers the post to the opposition in a unanimous decision to ensure an accountable democratic parliament; however, Modi-led BJP has declined to do so, while lecturing the opposition to be 'responsible.'

“The people of the country do not want drama, ruckus. The country does not want slogans, it wants substance. The country needs a good Opposition, a responsible Opposition,” Modi said ahead of the beginning of the first session of the new Lok Sabha last week.