BJP Faces Backlash Over Pro-tem Speaker Appointment

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is facing criticism from Congress MP K Suresh over the appointment of Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Suresh, who has been a Member of Parliament eight times, argues that Mahtab’s appointment violates the tradition of appointing the most senior member as the pro-tem Speaker. Mahtab, a seven-term MP from Cuttack, was appointed by President Droupadi Murmu, sparking claims of disrespect towards the opposition.

Suresh pointed out that traditionally, the MP with the most terms should be appointed as pro-tem Speaker, emphasizing his eight terms compared to Mahtab’s seven. He accused the NDA government of insulting the opposition, leading to the INDIA bloc’s decision to withdraw its members from the panel of chairpersons who are supposed to assist Mahtab until a regular Speaker is elected.

The controversy is expected to be the first major conflict between the NDA and the opposition’s INDIA bloc in the 18th Lok Sabha’s initial session. The government defends Mahtab’s appointment by highlighting his uninterrupted seven terms, whereas Suresh’s tenure was not consecutive. The Congress also suggested that Suresh was overlooked due to his Dalit background, a claim met with BJP’s suggestion that Suresh should be appointed as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.