In Birla Modi-Shah surprise again, forego seniority

New Delhi, June 18: By naming Rajasthan MP Om Birla as the NDA nominee for the post of the Lok Sabha Speaker, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah have again given preference to competence over seniority.

Birla is a two-time Lok Sabha member from Kota in Rajasthan. His choice as the Speaker came as a surprise as the post is generally given to a leader who has substantial exposure of multiple terms in the lower house.

True to the Modi-Shah style, not many knew about their choice till the last moment.

But a number of factors went in his favour, said informed sources. He is close to the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). His official residence in Delhi was often used for hosting RSS functions.