Names of former Union ministers Maneka Gandhi, Jual Oram, S S Ahluwalia, Radha Mohan Singh and Dalit leader from MP Virendra Kumar are doing rounds for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker but no one seems to be amused with this rather they are shying away to take up the responsibility. The reason is that they don't want to retire for now.

 

Most of the Speakers did not return to the next Lok Sabha after being given the responsibility except Balram Jakhad who has the privilege of becoming Speaker for two consecutive terms. Second Speaker M A Ayyangar was made Speaker to complete the term of first Speaker G V Mavalanker after his demise. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy too became Speaker twice but not for the consecutive terms.

 

Outgoing Speaker Sumitra Mahajan opted out to contest Lok Sabha election when her name did not figure in the first list; her predecessor Meira Kumar lost election; Somnath Chatterjee was denied ticket and Manohar Joshi too lost in 2004. GMC Balyogi was made Speaker in the coalition era but he died in the office. He too was the Speaker for two Lok Sabha but none completed its term.

 

This apparently seems to the reason that BJP leaders don't want the job. Odisha leader Jual Oram has already refused to take up the responsibility and forcing anything on Maneka could be disastrous. So the party is left with a few choices like Radha Mohan Singh, S S Ahluwalia and Virendra Kumar.

 

Singh is a senior leader and the BJP wanted to deny him ticket and by making him Speaker the job will be done but there is a deputy chairman from Bihar that might save him. Ahluwalia had the only support system in Sushma Swaraj who herself is redundant in the party now. By making him Speaker representation from West Bengal will also go up and he is a seasoned man to do justice with the post. Virendra Kumar is a lesser known politicians, so will he be able to do justice is a big question. So Ahluwalia is the man to be counted on as the next Speaker.