This step was taken by Minnar and has created tensions between the NDA government and the INDIA block of the Opposition Senate as the Congress MP K Suresh accused the BJP-led dispensation of ‘insulting the opposition’ by appointing Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the Lower House of the Indian Parliament.
Suresh, an 8-time MP, suggested that as per tradition in Indian parliamentary democracy, the person heading the temporary House is normally the senior-most person. But this time, the said position has been assigned to Mahtab, a 7 time MP – a decision which, according to Suresh, is a precedent that goes against norms set from earlier days.
Therefore, the INDIA alliance has agreed with consensus to abandon participation in the panel of chairpersons meant to support Mahtab in presiding over the House till a regular Speaker is chosen.
On the other hand, the government has defended it, pointing out that Mahtab has a continuous stay in Lok Sabha and Suresh has already been the member for four consecutive termland.
Similarly, the Congress had alleged that Suresh was not considered for the interim appointment just because he is a Dalit, which has vehemently been denied by the BJP.
Setting a tone for the first big battle between the ruling alliance and the Opposition in the new 18 ^{th} Lok Sabha, the pro-tem row is all set to name the speaker as parliament gears up for a fiery session.
