The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which holds an overwhelming majority in the Lower House, is considering its options but has given little indication of what it might choose.
 "LS Chairman Election: BJP begins talks, Opposition parties also consider options")
Press Trust of India New Delhi
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun talks with allies over the ruling NDA’s candidate for Lok Sabha Speaker, while the opposition United India is considering its options and may press ahead with the election to score political points, sources said on Monday, a day before filing for the key post.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which holds an overwhelming majority in India’s lower house of parliament, has given little indication of its choice as it weighs its options and seeks to deny the opposition an opportunity to launch political attacks.
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Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader and Union Minister K. Rammohan Naidu told reporters that alliance leaders, including his party leader and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, will take a decision on the matter, but added that the final decision has yet to be conveyed to them.
A leader of another BJP alliance group, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the BJP leadership had held talks with him, without giving details.
The theme of continuity has dominated the party’s agenda since it returned to power for a third term, with some NDA leaders speculating that former Lok Sabha leader Om Birla could be re-appointed, though there has been no official confirmation of such a prospect.
Several opposition leaders said depending on the NDA’s stand, the alliance would decide whether to nominate a candidate for the speaker’s post and force an election contest.
Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) MP NK Premchandran said the Opposition parties may run for the Speaker’s post if the government does not make an effort to reach a consensus on a candidate.
On a day when opposition leaders refused to join the committee supporting the interim speaker, an RSP lawmaker who is part of the INDIA coalition said it is the practice for the government to consult with the parties and come up with a consensus on the speaker candidate.
The Opposition parties refrained from attending the committee as eight-term Congress MP K Suresh was absent and seven-term Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Bhartruhari Mahatab was appointed interim chairman.
“A decision is likely to be taken after being informed about the NDA candidate,” the party leader said, adding that the opposition may nominate a member from a weaker community depending on who gets nominated from the ruling party side.
The NDA holds 293 seats in the 543-seat Lower House, while the opposition Indian Alliance holds 234. Although several independents have declared their support for the Indian National Congress, the ruling coalition has a clear majority in the Lower House.
