Guwahati, 21st June: Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader of the Indian National Congress in the Lok Sabha, voiced strong criticism on social media regarding the appointment of a BJP member as the pro-tem Speaker, alleging that it deprived the Dalit community of a significant parliamentary opportunity.
In a tweet on Thursday, Gogoi lamented, “The Modi government is denying the Dalit community in India a landmark opportunity to see a member of their community preside over the oath-taking of 543 MPs representing different religions, gender, caste, and regions of India. PM Modi’s rejection of 8-term MP Kodikunnil Suresh sends a message that is biased and regretful.”
The controversy erupted when a BJP member from Cuttack was appointed as pro-tem Speaker by President Droupadi Murmu under Article 95(1) of the Constitution. This appointment empowers the pro-tem Speaker to oversee the Lok Sabha proceedings until the election of the Speaker.
The Congress party accused the government of straying from parliamentary norms by selecting seven-term BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as pro-tem Speaker instead of eight-term MP Kodikunnil Suresh, who was expected to assume the role based on the convention of appointing the senior-most MP.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, highlighted, “Traditionally, the MP with the most terms serves as Speaker Pro-tem for the first two days when all newly elected MPs take their oath.” He pointed out that Kodikunnil Suresh and Virendra Kumar are the most senior MPs in the 18th Lok Sabha, both serving their eighth term. However, Mahtab, a seven-term MP, was chosen instead.
Ramesh emphasized the unexpected selection of Mahtab, noting his political journey from being a BJD MP for six terms to now representing the BJP, which raised concerns within the Congress regarding the fairness and impartiality of the appointment process.
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