N.P. Prajapati, Congress MLA from Gotegaon and a close confidant of Chief Minister Kamal Nath, and BJP MLA from Harsud Vijay Shah filed their nominations for the post of Speaker on the opening day of the newly elected Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Monday. After decades, election to the post of Speaker, if needed, would be held on Tuesday.
Traditionally, election to the Speaker’s post in M.P. is conducted unopposed and the post of Deputy Speaker is given to the Opposition party.
“It has been a tradition in M.P. to elect the Speaker unanimously. I hope the BJP will withdraw its candidate,” Public Relations Minister P. C. Sharma told media persons on the premises of the State Assembly.
The BJP, however, has decided to break away from the over two-decade-old tradition by fielding a candidate for the post.
Speaking to media persons here, State BJP chief Rakesh Singh said the Congress had forced their hand by deviating from tradition in appointing pro-tem Speaker.
