K Suresh nominates himself for Speaker's post, forcing election for first time
PTC News Desk: Kodikunnil Suresh, an eight-time member of parliament from Kerala, was nominated by the Congress-led opposition bloc in India on Tuesday to fill the role of Speaker of the Lok Sabha, setting up the first election for the position since 1946.
The tense standoff between the ruling coalition led by the BJP and the INDIA group is highlighted by Mr. Suresh's nomination. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju were tasked with approaching the opposition in order to forge consensus to re-appoint Kota MP Om Birla as Speaker.
The INDIA group declared its willingness to support Mr. Birla, but in accordance with legislative custom, the deputy's place had to be given to a member of the opposition.
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But the BJP did not respond until 11.50 am, which was ten minutes before the deadline for submitting paperwork. It was then that rumors circulated that Mr. Suresh would be the opposition's nominee.
According to sources, the BJP once again urged the opposition to back Mr. Birla and claimed that a decision on the Deputy Speaker position would be made later.
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the necessity of unity to manage the government and the nation, there is a standoff between the opposition and the newly formed BJP-led coalition.
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- With inputs from agencies
