BJP leader and NDA candidate Om Birla was elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha on June 26, defeating INDIA bloc candidate K Suresh in a voice vote held in the House. Motions to elect the Speaker were moved by both the NDA and INDIA factions, breaking the traditional consensus-based election process between the ruling party and the opposition.
Om Birla, a three-time MP from Kota, Rajasthan, and former Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha, secured his position again. K Suresh of the Congress, representing Kerala's Mavelikara constituency for eight terms, was the longest-serving parliamentarian in the 18th Lok Sabha.
The election followed a disagreement when the NDA rejected the INDIA bloc's demand for the Deputy Speaker's position in exchange for supporting the NDA's Speaker nominee. Initially, the INDIA bloc sought the Deputy Speaker's role, but the BJP's lack of clarity led to the INDIA bloc nominating K Suresh for the Speaker's position.
President Murmu is scheduled to address a joint session of both houses of Parliament on June 27, following Birla's election.
