With the allocation of ministerial portfolios in the new BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government completed, the focus has now shifted to electing the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. After a pro-tem or temporary Speaker administers the oath to newly-elected MPs during a Special Session, the Speaker will be the presiding officer of the Lower House of Parliament.

The Special Session of Parliament is slated to commence on June 24 to elect the Lok Sabha Speaker. Sources said for the first two days new Members of Parliament will be taking their oaths followed by election of the Speaker. The session will go on till July 3. 

The Lok Sabha Speaker's post has become a prized catch as the NDA parties, both TDP and JD (U), are eyeing the chair. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, the BJP was only able to bag 240 seats, and fell short of the 272 mark.

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the presiding officer of the Lower House should have experience in handling parliamentary work as well as ability to conduct proceedings smoothly by coordinating with both the ruling and Opposition benches.

"The Lok Sabha Speaker's job is to smoothly run the House in coordination with the ruling party and the Opposition. In my opinion, the Lok Sabha Speaker should be a little experienced. S/he should have experience in handling parliamentary work. If such a person is found for the post, it will be a very good thing," she said.

As the BJP lacks a majority in the new Lok Sabha, it will need to get its allies, especially the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Janata Dal (United), on board to decide on the Speaker's post. Congress led INDIA Bloc constituent, AAP, asked the TDP and JD(U) on Monday to ensure the Lok Sabha Speaker is from one of the two parties, and said this would be in their interests as well as that of the Constitution and democracy.