Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has slammed the Central Government over the denial of the pro-tem Speaker post to Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh.
He asked whether the decision was influenced by the upper caste politics of Sangh Parivar.
"Centre should clarify the reason for denying the pro-tem Speaker post to senior MP Kodikunnil Suresh, who represents Mavelikara in Kerala. What is BJP's reply to those who suspect that the decision was taken under the influence of upper caste politics of Sangh Parivar?," Vijayan asked.
It is worth mentioning that seven-term MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, a former BJD leader who joined BJP before Lok Sabha elections, was chosen as pro-tem Speaker defying convention of choosing the senior most MP, which was Suresh.
Vijayan, who is a CPI(M) politburo member, criticised that the BJP leadership was trying to challenge and insult parliamentary democracy by ignoring the traditions and practices of the Parliament. The BJP leadership's decision is highly deplorable, he said.
He also pointed out that the Deputy Speaker post was kept vacant during the last five years. This was due to BJP's unwillingness to give that post to anyone in the Opposition.
Published 21 June 2024, 12:45 IST