Congress questions pro-tem speaker choice, bats for its 8-term MP

NEW DELHI: Congress asked the Modi govt if its MP K Suresh has been overlooked for the pro-tem speaker's post because he is a Dalit, or because he is from the opposition, or because he is from south India, as it slammed the decision to appoint a seven-term MP Bhartruhari Mahtab over an eight-term member from Kerala.
Manickam Tagore, Congress whip in LS, said parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju started his innings in the key ministry with a mistake, pointing out he was part of the decision on the appointment of the pro-tem speaker.
"The superseding of Suresh has raised many questions. Why this kind of behaviour towards opposition, Dalits and south India. It shows how govt and PM Modi are not changing, and are maintaining a status quoist mindset," he said.