Eight-time Congress MP from Kerala, Kodikunnil Suresh, filed his nomination papers on Tuesday for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker, in a direct challenge to National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate and 3-time BJP MP from Kota, Om Birla.
This would force an election for the presiding officer of the Lower House for the first time since 1946.
INDIA bloc decided to field Suresh after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) refused to allot the Deputy Speaker's post to an opposition MP, in keeping with parliamentary tradition.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had earlier said the opposition would support the government on the Speaker's choice if the deputy speaker's post is given to the opposition.
Congress leader KC Venugopal and DMK's TR Baalu stormed out of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's office, refusing to endorse the NDA nominee, after the ruling coalition's attempt to build a consensus failed.
Meanwhile, Birla too filed his nomination for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker, a position he held in the previous House.