The election for the post of Speaker - a rare event in the history of the Lok Sabha - will take place today. The contest will be between the BJP's Om Birla, three-time MP from Rajasthan's Kota and the Speaker in the last Lok Sabha and Congress's eight-term MP from Kerala's Mavelikara, K Suresh.
The Speaker is elected by simple majority taking into account the number of MLAs present and voting. Seven MPs - five from the Opposition and two Independents - have not taken oath and cannot vote. While the Opposition has 232 seats, the NDA has 293 MPs. It is also expected to have the support of the four MPs of YS Jaganmohan Reddy's YSR Congress. The election for the post of Speaker will take place at 11 am on Wednesday.
