BJD supports NDA nominee Om Birla for LS Speaker’s post

Bhubaneswar: Hours after the BJP-led NDA announced Om Birla's name for Lok Sabha Speaker's post, the Biju Janata Dal informed that it would support the alliance's decision of fielding the senior party leader from Rajasthan.

Informing in this regard, BJD's Parliamentary party leader Pinaki Mishra today said that BJD will support the ruling-NDA's proposal of selecting Om Birla as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha since it has constructive cooperation with the Centre.

After the BJD today passed a resolution to support Birla's candidature for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker, nine other parties including YSR Congress Party, AIADMK, National People's Party, Mizo National Front, Lok Janshakti Party, JDU and APNA DAL also announced to support Birla's name.

"Ruling party has clear majority so there is no question of election but as far as selection of candidate is concerned, the BJP which has a clear majority in the Lower House of the Parliament has chosen Om Birla's name for Lok Sabha Speaker post. They have sought our cooperation in supporting Birla's nomination and since we have always had constructive cooperation with the Centre, we will support the saffron party's proposal," said Mishra.

Asked about speculations of BJD's name doing rounds for the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker's post, Mishra said, "Till now there have been no concrete discussions in this regard as any development can only happen after the Speaker election."