"He has been sidelined despite being longest serving member of LS": CM Vijayan comes out in support of Kodikunnil Suresh

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the act of appointing Lok Sabha pro-tem Speaker in violation of parliamentary norms is objectionable. The Chief Minister asked the central government to clarify why the Mavelikkara MP Kodikunnil Suresh has been sidelined despite being the longest serving member of the parliament. He also asked what is BJP's answer to those who suspect that Sangh Parivar's upper class politics is behind this decision.

"BJP has the audacity to not accept parliamentary democratic manners and customs in the House. In the last Lok Sabha, the post of Deputy Speaker was left vacant for five years. Behind this was the attitude that no one belonging to the opposition party could be accepted in that position. This arrogant approach of the BJP leadership can only be seen as a challenge and insult to Indian democracy," CM Vijayan said.

Earlier, opposition leader VD Satheesan also came out criticizing the Centre's action. VD Satheesan said that despite Modi and BJP not getting an absolute majority, violating parliamentary norms is a challenge to the will of the people and the democratic system of the country.

"The decision not to make Kodikunnil, who belongs to the Dalit community, as pro-tem speaker has to be considered as part of the sectarian politics followed by the BJP and the Sangh Parivar. BJP and Modi's contempt for democracy and the Constitution cannot be accepted despite receiving backlash from the people. The injustice meted out to Kodikunnil Suresh is BJP's disregard and contempt for Kerala. BJP's anti-Dalit face has been exposed once again," he added.