Kerala CM Slams Centre Over Pro-Tem Speaker Appointment

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticized the Centre for appointing a pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha, which bypassed convention by not selecting the senior-most MP, Kodikunnil Suresh. Vijayan alleged this decision reflects the BJP's upper caste politics, hostility towards parliamentary principles, and democratic conventions.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday criticized the Centre for appointing a pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha in alleged violation of parliamentary conventions by not giving the role to the most senior MP, Congress's Kodikunnil Suresh.

Labelling the Centre's decision as objectionable, Vijayan demanded the union government clarify why Suresh was not selected, as required by tradition. In a statement issued by his office, the Chief Minister questioned whether the exclusion of Suresh was influenced by the "upper caste politics" followed by the Sangh Parivar.

Vijayan's remarks followed the appointment of seven-term parliamentarian and BJP leader Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker. Vijayan accused the BJP of arrogance and of violating parliamentary democratic principles and Lower House conventions. He highlighted that the deputy speaker post was vacant throughout the last Lok Sabha due to BJP's refusal to accept an opposition candidate, terming this attitude as an affront to Indian democracy.

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