Kerala CM Slams BJP for Overlooking Kodikkunnil Suresh as Pro Tem Speaker

Thiruvanthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday criticized the BJP-led central government for breaching parliamentary conventions during the appointment of the Lok Sabha's Pro tem speaker.

In a Facebook post, the Chief Minister demanded that the Central Government explain why Mavelikkara MP Kodikunnil Suresh was overlooked, despite being the longest-serving member of the House. He sought the BJP's response to suspicions that the decision was influenced by the "savarna" politics of the Sangh Parivar. Kodikkunnil Suresh belongs to a Dalit community.

Pinarayi stated that the BJP exhibits arrogance by not adhering to parliamentary democratic norms and conventions within the House. He highlighted that during the previous Lok Sabha, the deputy speaker's position remained vacant for five years because the ruling dispensation was against opposition representatives playing this role.

The Chief Minister stated that the BJP leadership's arrogant stance is tantamount to a challenge and shows disdain for Indian democracy.

Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and Mavellikkara MP, Kodikkunnil Suresh, was poised to become the Pro Tem Speaker as the most senior member of the Lok Sabha. This marked Suresh's eighth term as an MP and his fourth victory from Mavelikkara.

Kodikkunnil Suresh established a new record for the most terms as an MP, surpassing G M Banatwala's seven consecutive terms from Ponnani and K P Unnikrishnan's six terms from Vadakara.