Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday criticized the Center for appointing a temporary Speaker of the Lok Sabha in alleged violation of parliamentary traditions and not giving the role to Congress's Kodikunnil Suresh, the senior-most MP in the Lok Sabha.
Terming the Centre's decision objectionable, Vijayan said the Central government needs to explain why Suresh, who is the senior-most MP in the Lok Sabha, was not selected for the post as per tradition.
The CM, in a statement issued by his office, also questioned what answer the BJP has to those who suspect that Suresh was not considered for the post because of "upper caste politics" adopted by the Sangh Parivar. .
Vijayan's comments come a day after seven-time MP and BJP leader Bhartrihari Mahtab was made the temporary Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
The CM accused the BJP of being arrogant for allegedly not following parliamentary democratic principles and the past traditions of the lower house.
He also told that in the last Lok Sabha, the post of Deputy Speaker was vacant for full five years and the reason behind this was the attitude of BJP that no person coming from the opposition could be accepted on that post.
Vijayan said that this arrogant attitude of the BJP leadership can only be seen as a challenge and insult to Indian democracy.
Earlier in the day, Suresh, an eight-time MP, said that being the senior-most Lok Sabha member, he should have been made the pro tempore speaker as per tradition.
The Speaker pro tempore will administer the oath/affirmation to the newly elected members of the 18th Lok Sabha and will preside over the lower house till the election of the Speaker.
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will begin from June 24. The newly elected members will take oath on June 24-25.
The election of the President is to be held on June 26.
Terming the Centre's decision objectionable, Vijayan said the Central government needs to explain why Suresh, who is the senior-most MP in the Lok Sabha, was not selected for the post as per tradition.
The CM, in a statement issued by his office, also questioned what answer the BJP has to those who suspect that Suresh was not considered for the post because of "upper caste politics" adopted by the Sangh Parivar. .
Vijayan's comments come a day after seven-time MP and BJP leader Bhartrihari Mahtab was made the temporary Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
The CM accused the BJP of being arrogant for allegedly not following parliamentary democratic principles and the past traditions of the lower house.
He also told that in the last Lok Sabha, the post of Deputy Speaker was vacant for full five years and the reason behind this was the attitude of BJP that no person coming from the opposition could be accepted on that post.
Vijayan said that this arrogant attitude of the BJP leadership can only be seen as a challenge and insult to Indian democracy.
Earlier in the day, Suresh, an eight-time MP, said that being the senior-most Lok Sabha member, he should have been made the pro tempore speaker as per tradition.
The Speaker pro tempore will administer the oath/affirmation to the newly elected members of the 18th Lok Sabha and will preside over the lower house till the election of the Speaker.
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will begin from June 24. The newly elected members will take oath on June 24-25.
The election of the President is to be held on June 26.
