BJP offers Lok Sabha deputy speaker post to Jagan, he asks for time

VIJAYWADA: BJP is said to have offered the post of deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha to the YSRCP. BJP MP and spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao on Tuesday met Andhra Pradesh chief minister and YSRCP chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy in Vijayawada and offered the post to one of his 22 MPs.

The YSRCP leadership, is however, silent on the offer. Sources said Jagan has sought time as the offer may have political ramifications back home. Both Muslims and Christians are part of his voter base and are said to have voted for him in large numbers.

Jagan and Narasimha Rao were closeted for about half an hour on Tuesday in what was projected as a courtesy call. However, sources later confirmed that Rao had come with the offer from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.

Lok Sabha is scheduled to meet on June 17 and election for the Speaker will take place soon after the new members take the oath. Jagan will be visiting the national capital on June 15 to attend a NITI Aayog meeting. He is likely to meet Modi during the visit. Jagan plans to consult senior leaders before accepting or declining the offer.