Lok Sabha Speaker candidature: Dissatisfaction within INDIA alliance, did not discuss in the front, says Trinamool

NEW DELHI: It is reported that there is dissatisfaction within the INDIA alliance over the decision to field Kodikunnil Suresh of the Congress for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker. National media reports are claiming that Trinamool Congress and NCP have come forward alleging that there was no consultation within the front regarding the matter. There is criticism that the Congress unilaterally decided to field Kodikunnil Suresh as INDIA front's candidate.

However, Congress has come up with an explanation that this was a last-minute decision and that the decision was taken just 10 minutes before the end of the deadline. Sources in the Congress also said that Kodikunnil Suresh had contacted the Trinamool Congress seeking support.

Earlier, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had asked Union Minister Rajnath Singh to follow the age-old practice of giving the post of Deputy Speaker to the opposition. However, the possibility of a consensus closed as Rajnath Singh did not give an assurance in this regard.

TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay said that the Trinamool Congress came to know about Kodikunnil Suresh's application as a candidate only through TV and that the matter was not discussed with his party. He said that it is up to the Congress to explain in this regard.