Will support govt’s choice if Lok Sabha deputy speaker post given to Opposition: Rahul Gandhi

Gandhi said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh contacted Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday evening. Sources said Kharge told Singh they were willing to back the NDA’s Speaker candidate provided the Government gave the Deputy Speaker’s post to the Opposition.

As it became clear that Om Birla, who was the Speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha, could be fielded again by the NDA, Gandhi told reporters, “The Prime Minister has said the Opposition should extend constructive cooperation to the Government. Rajnath Singh spoke to Kharge and sought his support. The entire Opposition, we have spoken to everyone, has said that we will support (the NDA candidate) but the convention is that the Deputy Speaker is given to the Opposition.”

Lashing out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi said Modi’s action does not match his words.

“Rajnath Singh said yesterday evening that he will return the call to Khargeji. He has not returned the call yet. Modi ji talks about constructive cooperation. And then they insult our leader,” Gandhi said.

“Narendra Modi says something and does something else. That is his formula. That is his strategy. He will have to change that. The entire country knows that the Prime Minister’s words have no value. He talks about cooperation and taking everyone along..in the public ..and does something else inside,” he said.

“The intention of the Government is not clear. Narendra Modi does not want any constructive cooperation. Because the convention is that the Deputy Speaker post should go to the Opposition. We have said… The entire Opposition has said if the convention is followed, then we will extend support in the Speaker’s election,” he added.