The Union government is preparing the legislative agenda to be presented in the first session of the 17 Lok Sabha due to start on June 17. The big question, however, on everyone's mind is who will be occupy the coveted post of speaker as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already constituted his cabinet.
With Modi's style of springing surprises with his choices, there is a big pool of contenders who can make the cut because of their legislative experience.
Among the available pool, former Union minister Maneka Gandhi is the senior-most Lok Sabha member as this is her eighth term. She was dropped from the ministry during Modi's current tenure. There is a buzz over Gandhi being made the pro-term speaker who will administer oath to other members. But her elevation to speaker's post is seen with skepticism, despite her faculty to handle the house, as she does not come with Sangh background.
The only other parliamentarian with eight terms to his credit is Santosh Gangwar, who has been made the minister of state with independent charge.
After Gandhi, another senior-most MP from the BJP is Virendra Kumar (seven terms). Kumar, who won from Tikamgarh reserved seat in Madhya Pradesh, comes with RSS background as he began his political journey as an ABVP activist. He is a PhD holder in child labour and has masters in economics. Kumar was jailed during the Emergency and has done a lot of work for the welfare of children, promoting vegetarianism and preservation of cows. Having a dalit president and a dalit speaker from the BJP will send a strong signal across the country.
The pool of eligible MPs gets wider when those with six terms under their belt are taken into consideration. One of them is Radha Mohan Singh, former agriculture minister in previous Modi government. He too comes with RSS background as he began with overseeing ABVP activities.
Both Kumar and Singh are considered front-runners for the speaker's post. Party sources said PM Modi and Amit Shah will also be keeping in mind their Lok Sabha strategy for the next five years as the opposition is expected to show even more aggression in the house. The skill to handle the house and the ability to represent the country at the world fora will be a factor. But they could still spring a surprise.
Other BJP MPs with six terms are Pankaj Choudhary, Nand Kumar Singh Chauhan, Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava, the MP from Bharuch in Gujarat. Vasava was minister of state for tribal affairs during the previous Modi government. Ramesh Chandappa Jigajinagi represents Bijapur reserve seat in Karnataka. Another member from his state, Anant Kumar Hegde, has also been elected for the sixth term. Hegde too was a minister in previous Modi term. This 51-year-old politician is known for his strong remarks which have often caused controversy. Another BJP MP with six terms is Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was a Samajwadi Party member earlier.
Other Lok Sabha members whose names are doing the rounds are Jual Oram (five terms) and S.S. Ahluwalia (two terms). Oram is a tribal leader and may not like to become speaker as it would mean he would have to reduce his political activities in their respective area. Younger leaders want to be active politically as they have other ambitions.
Ahluwalia is second time Lok Sabha MP, but has four term experience as Rajya Sabha member. He is considered to have good knowledge of the parliamentary procedures. But he has Congress background, and was seen part of faction within the BJP which has been sidelined as Modi-Shah took reigns of the government and party.
Another thing playing on government's mind is the choice of deputy speaker. As a convention, ruling parties offer the post to other key parties within the house. Shiv Sena has already staked claim citing it as the second biggest party with the NDA with 18 seats after the BJP's 303. Bhawna Gawali is the senior-most Sena member with five terms in the lower house.
There was also buzz that BJP could offer the deputy speaker's post to the BJD. Bhartruhari Mahtab is a six-term MP and has good knowledge of the legislative rulebook.
(The story first appeared on The Week)
