Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: Prior to the elections for the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha, speculations are now rife about the five senior parliamentarians of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the race for the Speaker.
Former Union ministers Jual Oram, SS Ahluwalia and Maneka Gandhi are in contention for the post of Lok Sabha speaker as the party top brass deliberates to finalise its choice. Former Union ministers Radha Mohan Singh and Virender Kumar are also among the probable candidates to succeed Sumitra Mahajan, sources claimed.
The first session of the new Lok Sabha is scheduled to begin on June 17 while elections to the post of Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be held on June 19.
Eight-term MP Gandhi is the most experienced BJP lawmaker in Lok Sabha and is being seen as a natural choice for the Speaker's post. She is also likely to be appointed as pro-tem Speaker, being the senior most parliamentarian in the 17th Lok Sabha.
Ahluwalia was a minister of state for parliamentary affairs in the previous government and is known for his knowledge of legislative matters.
Radha Mohan Singh, a six-term MP, has emerged as a strong contender for the job due to his deep roots in the organisation and image of an affable and gentle leader, the sources said.
Also a six-time MP, Virender Kumar's Dalit identity might work in his favour, party sources said.
Speaking on this, Odisha new health minister Naba Kishore Das stated that decision in this regard will be taken by BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
In the 16th Lok Sabha, the post of deputy speaker was held by M Thambi Durai of the AIADMK.