M A I N   N E W S

Joshi nominee for Speaker
Thackeray’s writ prevails

New Delhi, May 8
Heavy Industries Minister Manohar Joshi suddenly emerged as the consensus candidate for the post of the Lok Sabha Speaker, leaving behind BJP nominees—Petroleum Minister Ram Naik, Tourism and Culture Minister Jagmohan, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Shanta Kumar and BJP Parliamentary Party spokesperson Vijay Kumar Malhotra.

Papers on behalf of Mr Joshi for the May 10 Speaker’s post were filed at 1800 hours.

According to NDA sources, Petroleum Minister Ram Naik was the frontrunner for the post till yesterday, but Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray compelled the government to propose Mr Joshi’s name for the post.

The sources said the Shiv Sena supremo had been pressing the government that one more from the Shiv Sena be made a Union Minister as other NDA parties with less number of MPs had more representation in the Vajpayee ministry.

The government did not want to ignore the claim of the Shiv Sena which had 15 members in the Lok Sabha.

Mr Thackeray reportedly again spoke to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee about the demand yesterday. Instead of increasing the Shiv Sena representation in the cabinet, it was proposed by the government that the post of the Lok Sabha Speaker be offered to the party. Mr Thackeray readily accepted.

Sources said Mr Joshi was “very reluctant” to accept the offer and wanted to continue as minister. He was summoned to Mumbai by Mr Thackeray and told clearly that if he did not accept the offer, he would have to go from ministership as well Mr Joshi bowed to pressure.

According to BJP circles, Mr Naik becoming Speaker was almost certain till Mr Joshi’s name was included in the list of probables yesterday. In fact, many leaders from the ruling and the Opposition had congratulated Mr Naik in this regard yesterday.

Mr Joshi fell from grace of Mr Thackrey when he was Chief Minister of Maharashtra and removed from the post. He had been indicted by the Srikrishna Commission which inquired into the 1993 Mumbai riots. He is allegedly involved in a land scandal in Pune. UNI

Opposition may not second name
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 8
The Opposition is not likely to “propose or second” nomination of Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Apparently uncomfortable with NDA choosing a Shiv Sena nominee for the post of Speaker, the Opposition parties today indicated that they would not propose or second Mr Joshi’s nomination.