Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated on Tuesday that the entire opposition would back the ruling coalition’s nominee for the Lok Sabha Speaker if they are granted the Deputy Speaker’s position in return.
Gandhi revealed that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had contacted Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who conveyed the decision to support the government’s candidate for the Speaker role, provided the opposition is allotted the Deputy Speaker’s post.
“Today’s newspaper reports that PM Modi urged the Opposition to cooperate with the Government constructively. Rajnath Singh contacted Mallikarjun Kharge, requesting support for the Speaker. The entire Opposition agreed to support the Speaker, but the tradition dictates that the Deputy Speaker position should go to the opposition,” Gandhi said. He further noted that Mr. Singh had promised to call back but hadn’t done so. He also criticized Prime Minister Modi for seeking cooperation from the opposition while their leaders are “disrespected.”
“Rajnath Singh promised to call back Mallikarjun Kharge, but he hasn’t done so yet… PM Modi seeks cooperation from the Opposition, yet our leader faces disrespect,” Gandhi added.
The government and the opposition have failed to reach a consensus on the Speaker and Deputy Speaker’s posts, leading to Kota MP and former Speaker Om Birla filing his nomination for the Speaker’s position as the ruling coalition’s candidate.
The Congress-led INDIA bloc has fielded its senior MP K Suresh for the post.
This will be the first time since 1946 that an election will take place for the Lok Sabha Speaker. Traditionally, the Speaker is elected unopposed, and the Deputy Speaker is chosen from the opposition.
