Hours ahead of the historic Lok Sabha Speaker election on Wednesday, the INDIA bloc’s candidate Congress’ K Suresh said the Opposition was united and was likely to seek division of votes during the election.
Speaking to CNN-News18, the lawmaker said, “I am confident. The number is not an issue. This is a fight against the bulldozing of democracy in the country. We will ask for a division of votes.”
He also cleared the air about the reports on differences in the INDIA bloc. He said, “There’s no issue between our partners. All were present at the meeting that was held yesterday. Some misunderstandings have been sorted.”
If a division of votes takes place in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, then paper slips will be used as the electronic system is not operational yet in the new Lok Sabha where members are still in the process of being allocated their seats.
‘We weren’t consulted’: TMC
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Tuesday said the party was not consulted on the Opposition’s decision to field Congress MP K Suresh as the INDIA bloc’s joint nominee for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker.
As Suresh filed his nomination for the election of Speaker on Tuesday morning, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) was not among the INDIA bloc parties that signed his paper.
When TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee was asked about his party’s stand on the issue, he said they have not been contacted over it yet.
“No one contacted us, there have been no talks, unfortunately this has been a unilateral decision,” he said.
“Our party leadership, Mamata ji will decide,” he said.
Later, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Banerjee were seen chatting inside Lok Sabha.
When Rahul Gandhi came out of the House after his affirmation, he was asked by the media if he could reach an agreement with Banerjee over the Speaker issue.
INDIA Bloc’s ultimatum
Meanwhile, Congress sources said if the government assures giving the post of Deputy Speaker to the Opposition before 11 am, the INDIA bloc was willing to withdraw its Speaker post candidature after seeking permission from the House.
As the nomination cannot be withdrawn anymore as per the rules, the Opposition was thinking of seeking permission to withdraw the motion.
RARE FIGHT
The ruling BJP-led NDA on Tuesday maintained its streak of continuity in its third term by fielding previous Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for the crucial parliamentary position again, but its bid for a consensus was thwarted by the opposition which forced an election by nominating Kodikunnil Suresh as its candidate.
The opposition’s last-minute decision to go for a rare contest came after senior BJP leaders did not agree to its precondition that the INDIA bloc must be offered the post of Deputy Speaker in lieu of supporting Birla, who is the clear favourites in case of an election.
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