Giving a boost to the ruling coalition's efforts, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu telephoned Atal Bihari Vajpayee while the meeting was going on to say that the TDP would support the BJP's candidate.

The AIADMK has already promised similar support. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Lal Khurana said, "The Deputy Speaker will be elected during this session; and he will be from the BJP."

There has been speculation that the matter would be put off to the next session since the BJP was unsure of getting its nominee elected in case of a contest. The Congress has already rejected the BJP's plea for a consensus and decided to field P M Sayeed.