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Purnesh Modi Elected Gujarat Deputy Speaker Amid Opposition Protest

BJP MLA Purnesh Modi was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Gujarat Assembly on the opening day of the Budget session through a voice vote, leveraging the ruling party's majority. The Congress, which fielded Shailesh Parmar for the post, criticized the move as a departure from the convention of offering the position to the Opposition. The Aam Aadmi Party abstained from the voting, stating the outcome was a foregone conclusion. The session began with protests as Congress MLAs raised slogans during the Governor's address, demanding issues like a farm loan waiver be addressed.

Key Points: BJP's Purnesh Modi Elected Gujarat Assembly Deputy Speaker

  • Purnesh Modi elected with BJP majority
  • Congress alleges departure from parliamentary convention
  • AAP abstains from voting process
  • Opposition raised slogans during Governor's address
3 min read

BJP leader Purnesh Modi elected Gujarat Assembly Deputy Speaker

BJP MLA Purnesh Modi elected Gujarat Deputy Speaker. Congress alleges breach of convention, AAP abstains. Key political developments from Budget session.

"They (BJP) trusted me and gave me the opportunity to contest for this constitutional post. - Purnesh Modi"

Gandhinagar, Feb 16

Surat West Bharatiya Janata Party MLA and former Gujarat Minister Purnesh Modi was on Monday elected Deputy Speaker of the Gujarat Assembly on the opening day of the Budget session.

Purnesh Modi's candidature was proposed by veteran BJP leader Jitu Vaghani.

The Congress fielded Shailesh Parmar for the post, with his name proposed by party MLA Dinesh Thakor.

The motion backing Purnesh Modi was put to a voice vote in the Assembly House, where the BJP holds a majority, and was carried with a clear margin.

The official announcement of Purnesh Modi's election was subsequently made by the Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary.

Gujarat Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rushikesh Patel then escorted Purnesh Modi to his seat beside the Leader of the Opposition.

Following obituary references, the Assembly House took up the election of the Deputy Speaker.

Participating in the discussion, Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar said that, in keeping with parliamentary convention, the Deputy Speaker's post should be offered to a member of the Opposition.

He alleged that the BJP had departed from established practice by using its numerical strength to secure the position.

Shailesh Parmar also raised concerns over what he described as inadequate representation of Opposition members in key committees, including the Public Accounts Committee, in Gujarat.

After being declared elected, Purnesh Modi expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President Nitin Nabin, BJP General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and State BJP President Jagdish Vishwakarma for reposing confidence in him.

"They (BJP) trusted me and gave me (Purnesh Modi) the opportunity to contest for this constitutional post," the Surat West BJP MLA said.

Members of the Treasury benches raised slogans in support of Purnesh Modi following the announcement.

The Aam Aadmi Party did not support either candidate -- Purnesh Modi of the BJP nor Shailesh Parmar from the Congress for the Deputy Speaker's post in Gujarat Assembly.

Dediyapada AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava said the party chose not to participate in the voting process as the outcome was evident in advance and to ensure that any possible cross-voting within the Congress did not affect it.

Earlier on Monday, House proceedings commenced with the customary address by Governor Acharya Devvrat.

However, Congress MLAs raised slogans during the speech, pressing demands that included a farm loan waiver, an end to outsourcing in government departments, permanent recruitment in state services, and on illegal sale of liquor and drugs.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
While I support the BJP, the Congress MLA has a point about parliamentary convention. The Deputy Speaker's post often going to the opposition fosters healthy debate. Using majority for everything sets a worrying precedent for our democracy.
A
Aman W
AAP's stance is confusing. If you're in the assembly, you should vote. Saying the outcome was pre-decided is not an excuse. Either support a candidate or explain your own policy, this abstention seems like political opportunism.
P
Priyanka N
The real issues raised by Congress MLAs during the Governor's speech are what matter - farm loans, government jobs, and the drug problem. Hope the budget session focuses on these and not just political one-upmanship.
V
Vikram M
Strong mandate, strong decisions. The people of Gujarat have given BJP the majority to govern, and that includes choosing its Deputy Speaker. Well done to the party leadership for placing their trust in a proven leader. Gujarat is progressing!
K
Kriti O
The concerns about opposition representation in key committees like the Public Accounts Committee are serious. These committees need opposition voices to ensure proper scrutiny of the government. Hope this is reviewed.

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