"We have the numbers": NDA leaders exude confidence in winning the Lok Sabha Speaker election

New Delhi [India], June 26 (ANI): The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders on Wednesday exuded confidence in winning the election for the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha that is scheduled to be held today.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "Election will take place, we should wait for the result."
Union Minister Chirag Paswan said that the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is not of any particular party.
"He is for the whole house. It is a tradition that the Speaker must be chosen unanimously. This situation has risen because of the persistence of the opposition. They do not have enough numbers," he said.
Union Minister Anupriya Patel emphasized that Om Birla will lead the 18th Lok Sabha.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda also arrived at the Parliament on Wednesday.
"The Opposition has fielded their candidate but the NDA candidate is Om Birla Ji and we are sure (he will win). We have the numbers, this election is symbolic. Om Birla will be the Speaker for the second consecutive time and he will lead the 18th Lok Sabha assembly," she said.
Union Minister and BJP MP Sarbananda Sonowal told ANI, "We will win for sure. No matter how much they try, we will win."
BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai slammed the opposition and said that they are breaking all the conventions.
"Normally the Speaker is not contested but this time the Opposition is breaking all the conventions. The Speaker is above the party lines but they want to politicise the Speaker's post as well. It is very unfortunate," Bommai said.
BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut said that Om Birla will surely win.
"We will vote. My stand is the same as that of my party. We are very excited. For me, this is the first time, so I am very excited...We will win as our party is in power. So, our candidate will win," Ranaut said.
Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde also criticised the opposition for breaking the tradition of election the Speaker unanimously.
"The voting for the Lok Sabha Speaker is going to happen for the first time. The Opposition has broken the tradition of choosing the Speaker unanimously. The Opposition has put forth a condition for the Deputy Speaker, democracy does not run on conditions. Our leaders had said that the Dy Speaker would be decided when the time comes. But, unfortunately, the Opposition is breaking the tradition today," he said.
The NDA, which commands 293 MPs in the 543-member Lok Sabha, holds a clear majority, while the opposition INDIA bloc comprises 234 MPs. (ANI)