BJP MP from Rajasthan Om Birla likely to be Lok Sabha Speaker

In a major surprise, BJP Rajasthan MP Om Birla is likely to be the NDA candidate for the post of speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha. If nominated, he is expected to sail through in the speaker election. He is MP from Rajasthan's Kota-Bundi constituency. When quizzed by ANI, Birla refused to confirm the news saying, " I have no information, I had just went to meet the Working President as a 'karyakarta'. Birla met BJP's new working President JP Nadda on Tuesday morning. 

However, Om Birla's wife virtually confirmed the news. 

Amita Birla, wife of BJP MP Om Birla, who reportedly is the NDA candidate for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker: It is a very proud and a happy moment for us. We are very thankful to the cabinet for choosing him. (In pic 2&3 : BJP MP Om Birla) pic.twitter.com/lPYB2jQEQn

— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2019

Amita Birla said, "It is a very proud and a happy moment for us. We are very thankful to the cabinet for choosing him". 

Also Read: Om Birla set to be first Lok Sabha Speaker from Rajasthan: 10 things to know

Birla had won by a margin of 2,79,677 votes against Congress' Ramnarayan Meena from the Rajasthan seat in the Lok Sabha elections. According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah had collectively come up with Birla's name as their choice for the post of the Lok Sabha Speaker. BJP after losing power in Rajasthan made a strong comeback in the state in the Lok Sabha election with Congress drawing a blank. 

56-year-old Om Birla has been a three-time Member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly from Kota South and is a two time MP. He is likely to replace Sumitra Mahajan, who did not contest the recent elections.

Many speculated that Maneka Gandhi is the top contender for the speaker post as Parliament has seen women Speaker in the last two terms.  Meira Kumar, who became the first woman to become the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, held the post before Mahajan.