Scramble for Deputy Speaker’s post

NEW DELHI, Dec 1 (PTI) — The race for the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker’s post hotted up again with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Lal Khurana being deputed by the BJP to discuss the issue with allies and the Congress demanding the post for its nominee P.M. Sayeed.

"I have already spoken to Mr George Fernandes, who is the convener of the coordination committee and the issue would be decided in a few days", Mr Khurana told reporters here today.

The BJP says that since the Speaker’s post went to the Telugu Desam Party, the Deputy Speaker’s post should come to it.

The election of the Deputy Speaker had been deferred as the BJP was keen on evolving a consensus on its claim for the post as the main partner in the ruling coalition.

The BJP had proposed the name of Dhanbad MP, Rita Verma for the post.

However, the Congress has been asking for the post which has traditionally been given to the main opposition party. Congress spokesman Ajit Jogi said and expressed the hope that the ruling coalition would support Mr Sayeed’s candidature by maintaining parliamentary traditions.

Mr Jogi also hoped that other opposition parties would support Mr Sayeed’s candidature.