Amid suspense over Dy Speaker post, TDP says it is not interested

The statement comes amid speculation that the post could go to an ally, just like AIADMK had it in Modi’s first term.

Another top TDP leader said: “From the beginning, the TDP has not expressed its interest in either the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker post. We have left it open to the other (National Democratic Alliance) allies, that is if they are interested.” Hinting that the Janata Dal (United) could be interested in the role, the TDP leader said: “If an ally is to be chosen for the role, why not the JD(U)?”

A senior JD(U) leader said the party had not heard anything on this from the BJP. “The BJP has not yet indicated to us if there will be a Deputy Speaker post and if yes whether they are interested in giving it to us,” the leader said. Another party leader said it would appear odd as the Rajya Sabha already has a JD(U) nominee in Deputy Chairman of the House Harivansh.

Some BJP leaders also suggested that if no ally is interested in the post, then Opposition could be thought about.

The TDP, however, is not comfortable with the idea. Asked if the Opposition, going by convention, should get the post: Kommareddy said: “The Opposition should first graciously accept the people’s mandate. Their attitude has been to create ruckus in the House and disrupt the government’s functioning. When they are not following convention, why should we (NDA) offer the role to them?”

It was due to a lack of commitment from the government over the Deputy Speaker’s post to the Opposition that the INDIA bloc chose to put up a candidate against Om Birla, the BJP nominee for the Speaker’s post. It lost in a voice vote.

A TDP source, meanwhile, said that had the Opposition supported Speaker Om Birla’s candidature right at the beginning, the NDA government could have considered their demand for Deputy Speaker. “Instead, the Opposition fielded their own candidate. This was nothing but confrontation. Why should the ruling alliance favour them?” the TDP source asked.

A senior Congress leader said that the party was waiting for a commitment from the NDA on Deputy Speaker’s post even on Wednesday morning. “If they had indicated they would give the post to the Opposition, we would have taken our motion back,” the leader said.

The TDP’s stand on the Deputy Speaker post is in line with what most of their MPs have been echoing — that they need more funds for the state and not key positions in the Centre. The party has one Cabinet minister and one Minister of State. “We are part of the government only to get special financial packages for the state, which we have sought in the pre-budget consultation meeting,” a TDP leader said.

The TDP has so far asked for central assistance in developing Andhra Pradesh capital and Polavaram project.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met TDP MPs. He said in a post on X: “Met MP colleagues from @JaiTDP. Our parties are working closely at the Centre and in Andhra Pradesh under the leadership of my friend @ncbn garu. We will do everything possible for the progress of India and the development of AP.”