BJP and Sangh Parivar are challenging Constitution by violating parliamentary norms, decision to deny pro tem Speaker post to Kodikunnil is anti-democratic: VD Satheesan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition Leader VD Satheesan on Friday said that the denial of pro tem Speaker post to Kodikunnil Suresh, the senior most member of the Indian Parliament, is anti-democratic. He said that despite not getting an absolute majority in the Parliament, Narendra Modi and the BJP are challenging the people's verdict and the democratic system of the country by violating the parliamentary norms.

"It must be believed that the decision not to make Kodikunnil, who belongs to the Dalit community, the pro-tem speaker is part of the sectarian politics followed by the BJP and the Sangh Parivar. Despite receiving a backlash from the people, the BJP and Modi are insulting democracy and the Constitution. This is unacceptable. The injustice done to Kodikunnil Suresh shows the BJP's disregard and contempt for Kerala. BJP's anti-Dalit face has been exposed once again," Satheesan said.

Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala alleged that the action of denying the pro tem Speaker post to Kodikunnil exposes the dictatorial nature of the Modi government.

"The fact that a BJP leader was appointed as pro tem Speaker instead of the most qualified person is proof that the Modi government has started to fear the opposition. Eight-term MP Kodikunnil is the most qualified person to become the pro tem Speaker. Moreover, he is a leader from the backward class. The real fascist face of the Modi government, which boasts of being the government of the backward people, has come out through this decision," Chennithala added.