Keeping its promise to go the “extra mile” to accommodate the Opposition, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu told journalists on Wednesday that his predecessor Kamal Nath, as the seniormost parliamentarian in the Lok Sabha, would be made the pro tem Speaker to swear in the new Members of Parliament.
Mr. Naidu said he conveyed the government’s recommendation to President Pranab Mukherjee, shortly after he assumed charge of the ministry at Parliament House. Sources in the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry said the new Speaker will decide on the question whether the Congress with 44 MPs could get Leader of the Opposition status.
Mr. Naidu said he would use the “3-D” formula – debate, discuss and decide – to ensure that Parliament runs smoothly. “I am not blaming anybody. People also want to have a proper debate in both Houses... Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to debate on any issue of public importance,” Mr. Naidu said.
