Chandigarh, June 24 (Press Ki Taquat Bureau)
In a significant move, the Opposition INDIA bloc expressed their discontent over the selection of Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the House for the first session of the newly elected 18th Lok Sabha. Led by the Congress party, the Opposition leaders argued that Kodikunnil Suresh, a Dalit and an MP with eight terms in the House, was overlooked for the position. As a result, the INDIA bloc decided to withdraw its members from the panel of chairpersons who were supposed to assist Mahtab until the election of the permanent Speaker. Suresh stated that the INDIA bloc would boycott the Speaker panel and refuse to assist the Speaker. Alongside Suresh, Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu of DMK, Radha Mohan Singh and Faggan Singh Kulaste of BJP, and Sudip Bandyopadhyay of TMC were appointed to assist the pro-tem Speaker in administering the oath to the newly elected members. The pro-tem Speaker, appointed by the President, oversees the proceedings of the House until the permanent Speaker is elected. The Speaker plays a crucial role in maintaining order, adjourning or suspending proceedings in the absence of decorum, and has the final authority on rules, procedures, and issues related to disqualification and no-confidence votes. The appointment of the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker is now eagerly awaited.
