Kolkata:

The Bharatiya Janata Party has accused Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress of cover-up details about the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital last month. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party have been taking heavy fire over the horrific killing, with the BJP targeting her and Kolkata Police, which reports to Ms Banerjee in her role as Home Minister.

At a press conference Friday BJP leader Sambit Patra flagged three claims raised by the doctors’ parents – that a state official bribed them to “hush up the case”; that on the morning of August 9, hours after their daughter’s body was discovered, they were forced to wait for over three hours to see the body; and that after being told of her death they were urged to sign a blank paper.

“… these questions by the victim’s father are of paramount importance… because on the foundation of these questions is based the investigation and outcome of the investigation.”

“Imagine the father’s plight… imagine what he was thinking after learning of his daughter’s brutal murder… he wouldn’t have been able to reconcile what is happening. And, at that time, when her body is still in the house, a District Collector, not a politician, offers money…”

This claim was made by the parents earlier this week.

READ | “Cops Offered Money, We Declined”: Father Of Kolkata Doctor

“When my daughter’s body was at our home, DC (North) tried to give us some money. We replied accordingly,” the father said. The parents had earlier also claimed to have been offered money by a “senior police official”. “The police, from the beginning, tried to hush up the case… when her body was handed over, a senior police official offered us money,” the father said.

“… we immediately declined,” he said of both offers.

#WATCH | RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape-murder incident | Delhi: BJP MP Sambit Patra says, “The questions that the victim’s father has laid in front of the nation today are of paramount importance… Question No. 1, the victim’s father says that when the body of the… pic.twitter.com/Rs4fyVSLoS

— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2024

Mr Patra today underlined the offer from “an administrator” and demanded, “What was it that the administration was trying to throw under the carpet? What was there to hide… that (Chief Minister) Mamata Banerjee’s government sent the DC and offered money to the victim’s father?”

The Trinamool has hit back on this count by flagging another video, which emerged earlier, and in which the parents say no money was offered and that there was ‘no question’ about being offered any.

Trinamool’s “Vulture Politics” Counter

The ruling party has counter-accused the BJP of “vulture politics” by spreading conspiracy theories.

However, in another twist to an already complicated narrative, a relative has claimed the video, in which they dismiss allegations money was offered by a senior cop, been filmed under pressure.

On the parents’ allegations the state has offered a more circumspect response.

“Given the mental state of the parents… we will not analyse why they said this (that money had been offered) when they said something else earlier. There is no place for this (now). Whatever they, or family, are saying, we respect it…” Dr Shashi Panja, the Women and Child Development Minister, said.

“Forced To Wait For 3.5 Hours”

Meanwhile, Mr Patra also tore into the Trinamool over parents’ claims they were “forced to wait for three-and-a-half hours” outside the seminar room in which the body was discovered before being allowed to see their daughter. During this time, he alleged, officials tried to get them to leave.

READ | “We Are Coming. How Is She?”: 3 Hospital Calls To Doctor’s Parents

Mr Patra also alleged “in that time many people went in and out of the room”, suggesting laxity in securing the crime scene, intentionally or otherwise, may have contaminated crucial evidence.

“What did the government want to do in that room for three-and-half-hours?”

Finally, he also asked why the police, according to the doctor’s father, wanted the parents to sign a blank piece of paper after being shown the daughter’s body.

“I tore it up and threw it away…” the father had said of the alleged cover-up attempt.

READ | “Wanted Body Preserved, Forced To Cremate”: Doctor’s Parents

The police and the state government have been criticised by the opposition and civil society activists for their respective handling of this case. The government has been grilled over delays by Dr Sandip Ghosh – the ex-hospital chief arrested by the CBI over financial irregularities – in filing a police case, and also over appointing him to head another hospital hours after he quit RG Kar on “moral grounds”.

The police have been questioned over alleged lapses in protocol, which they have denied.

Both have also faced questions from the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court, which came down heavily on Dr Ghosh delaying filing a police case and on his new posting; the High Court asked the state government, “No man is above the law. Why do you protect him…”

CBI Almost Finished With Probe

Mr Patra’s broadside today came hours after sources in the Central Bureau of Investigation, tasked with this inquiry by the Calcutta High Court, said the case was nearly complete.

Sources in the federal agency also said they had ruled out gangrape as the available evidence indicated that only Sanjay Roy – arrested last month by Kolkata Police – was involved.

READ | CBI Rules Out Gang-Rape In Kolkata Case, Sanjay Roy Lone Accused

Meanwhile, a triumphant Trinamool posted on X shortly afterwards, stating, “After 24 days of inaction CBI confirmed what Kolkata Police established in 24 hours… Sanjay Roy was the sole perpetrator in the RG Kar tragedy. Conspiracy theories circulated by BJP… have been exposed.”

After 24 days of INACTION, @CBIHeadquarters confirmed what @KolkataPolice established in 24 hours – Sanjay Roy was the SOLE PERPETRATOR in R G Kar tragedy.

The conspiracy theories circulated by @BJP4India & Godi media have been EXPOSED.

We now demand that the chargesheet be…

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) September 6, 2024

“We now demand the chargesheet be filed and the accused be put on trial WITHOUT DELAY. Anything less is an insult to the victim’s memory!” the party declared.

Mamata Banerjee, still smarting at the High Court overruling her five-day deadline for the police before the CBI was to be summoned, has been fiercely critical of the federal agency; last week she said, “I asked for five days but the case was sent to CBI… where is justice (now)?”

With input from agencies

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Kolkata:

Amid the massive row over the serious allegations by the parents of the Kolkata doctor, who was raped and murdered at a state-run hospital, the Trinamool Congress today blamed “vulture politics” by the Opposition and doubled down on the charge that fake narratives are being created.

“A video has gone viral and it suggests that the parents were offered money by the police to hush up the case. In another video, the parents have said this allegation is false. They said they only want justice for their daughter. They are heart-broken. There should have been no politics here. Political parties should not bother them,” state minister Shashi Panja told the media.

A massive row has erupted after the 31-year-old doctor’s parents told the media yesterday that the police offered them money when their daughter’s body was still at their home. It is not clear if this money was offered as a compensation.

Soon after, Trinamool supporters started sharing another video, in which the parents are asked if they were offered money in an attempt to hush up the case. “Nothing like this happened, we just want justice,” they are heard saying.

The Trinamool today played the second video at their press meet and said the CBI’s silence on the progress of its investigation has created a vacuum in which fake news and narratives are being manufactured. “Leading this fake news creation is BJP and its IT cell,” she said. “We have earlier seen much talk about the post-mortem report too… sensational claims like 150 gm semen, this is injustice towards the victim.”

“Twenty-three days have passed after the transfer of the case from Kolkata Police to CBI. There is no progress report from CBI. We demand that the CBI provide a detailed progress report of their investigation. When Kolkata police was investigating this, regular updates were given out through press conferences,” state minister Bratya Basu said.

The ruling party, which is under fire over the shocking incident, questioned if the CBI has nothing in the rape-murder case apart from what Kolkata Police handed over. It also suggested that the focus of the central agency’s investigation appears to have shifted from the rape-murder to financial irregularities, in which connection Dr Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital was arrested.

“The BJP has alleged that evidence was wiped off, why is CBI not coming out then and saying this?” Mr Basu asked. 

The Trinamool leaders did not comment on the other allegations levelled by the victim’s father.

The doctor’s family has alleged that they wanted the body preserved, but police created so much pressure that they were forced to go ahead with the cremation.

“We wanted the body preserved, but so much pressure was created. About 300-400 cops surrounded us. We returned home and found some 300 cops were standing outside. They created such a situation that we were forced to cremate her,” he alleged. He also said the cremation was rushed and the cost was not taken from the family. “My daughter went knowing that Bapi (father) could not even pay for this,” the victim’s father said. He also alleged that some police officers tried to get his signature on a blank sheet of paper. “I tore it up and threw it away.”

BJP leaders have targeted the Trinamool over the father’s allegations and said the police’s role in the case has been exposed.

BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul said the parents’ interaction with the media last night has “exposed the role of Kolkata Police”. “And YOU Mamata Banerjee tried to suppress this case and protect the conspirators and deviate the direction of this case. You will be forced to answer the people of Bengal,” she said in a post on X.

New Delhi:

Under fire for the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the ruling Trinamool Congress has decided not to send its spokespersons to TV channel debates, accusing three channels of “anti-Bengal” propaganda.

“AITC has, for now decided not to send its spokespersons to media channels like ABP Ananda, Republic, and TV9 due to their persistent ANTI-BENGAL agenda-driven PROPAGANDA. We understand their compulsion to appease the ZAMINDARS of Delhi, given the investigations and ongoing enforcement cases their promoters and companies are facing.

Statement in connection with the recent media developments pic.twitter.com/e5qvjd4oBm

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) September 1, 2024

We also clarify and request the people of West Bengal not to be misled by individuals portrayed as party supporters or sympathizers on these platforms during discussions or debates, as they are not authorized by the party and do not represent our official stance,” the party added in a statement posted on X.

“The people of Bengal have consistently rejected this unholy BANGLA BIRODHI NEXUS and have always chosen TRUTH over PROPAGANDA,” it said.

This comes days after a spat between a spat between senior Trinamool leader and MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul during a TV debate on ABP Ananda. Ms Dastidar, the Trinamool’s deputy leader in Lok Sabha, had called Ms Paul, a prominent fashion designer, a “saree maker”. Ms Paul responded that she is immensely proud of her profession. The BJP legislator had also accused the Mamata Banerjee government shelters criminals and ignores the plight of women.

I strongly condemn @kakoligdastidar , who, despite being a woman and a doctor, shamelessly supports this incompetent TMC government that failed to protect another woman doctor, our own Abhaya, in her workplace. Dr. Kakali, you have the nerve to mock me by calling me a “saree… pic.twitter.com/FBfSDAxvS4

— Agnimitra Paul BJP (@paulagnimitra1) August 30, 2024

Another remark of Ms Dastidar in the same show sparked a row. She had said medical students were “made to sit on laps” for pass marks during the CPM era in Bengal. This remark had drawn strong criticism from women doctors, forcing the Trinamool MP to apologise.

I am sorry for any statement made in ABP anondo talk show and apologize if my recent words have hurt anyone’s sentiments. I retract my statement. My intention has been and will always be to champion cause of well-being and rights of women.

— Dr. KakoliGDastidar (@kakoligdastidar) September 1, 2024

“I am sorry for any statement made in ABP anondo talk show and apologize if my recent words have hurt anyone’s sentiments. I retract my statement. My intention has been and will always be to champion cause of well-being and rights of women,” she said in a post on X.

TV debates on Bengali channels are witnessing shouting matches between Trinamool and BJP leaders as the former try to defend the Mamata Banerjee government against allegations of a cover-up in the rape-murder case that has shaken the nation. The BJP has accused the ruling party of shielding criminals, while the ruling party has alleged that the Opposition BJP and the CPM are trying to create unrest in the state.

New Delhi:

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee today dedicated the party’s foundation day of its student wing to the Kolkata rape-murder victim. The Trinamool Chhatra Parishad, popularly known as TMCP, is the student wing of Trinamool Congress.

“Today I dedicate Trinamool Chhatra Parishad Foundation Day to our sister, whom we mourn the tragic loss of at RG Kar Hospital a few days ago,” Ms Banerjee posted on X in Bengali.

“And our heartfelt condolences to the family of the sister who was brutally tortured to death and we are seeking speedy justice for her, and as well as to all the women of all ages across India who have been subjected to such inhumane acts. We are deeply sad,” she added.

The rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor on August 9 has caused nationwide outrage, with junior doctors refusing to see non-emergency patients in many parts of the country. They are demanding justice for the victim and greater safety for women at hospitals.

Mamata Banerjee’s post comes a day after unregistered student body claiming to be a students’ organisation, ‘Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj’, and a dissident state government employees’ platform ‘Sangrami Joutha Mancha’ held protests demanding her resignation.

The protest march to the state secretariat — “Nabanna Abhijan” — saw an outpouring of anger on the road which could not be quelled with police batons or tear gas.

The ruling Trinamool claimed that the march was backed by the opposition BJP, which has called for a 12-hour “Bengal bandh” today to protest against the police action.

New Delhi:

The financial transactions at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College during the tenure of former Principal Sandip Ghosh will now be looked into following allegations of irregularities. An order from the West Bengal government said a Special Investigation Team has been formed to conduct the probe the alleged financial irregularities, and will submit a report within a month.

Sandip Ghosh, facing massive criticism over the rape-murder of a doctor in the hospital premises, is now being questioned by the CBI. 

A note from the government’s Home and Hill Affairs Department Internal Security Branch, said the SIT, headed by Inspector General of Police Dr Pranav Kumar, will have the “liberty to access any relevant document from government departments and private agencies required for expeditious completion of the inquiry”.

The team will look into the alleged financial irregularities in the period between January 2021 till date. 

“The SIT will submit its first report to the State Government within a month from the date of its constitution,” the order read. 

The move came amid massive criticism over its transfer of the principal within hours of his resignation to the city’s top medical college — the National Medical College and Hospital.  The Opposition, civil society and the Calcutta High Court had heaped criticism on the state government over it. 

Questioning how can a Principal, who has failed in his duty to protect his students, be rewarded, the judges said, “Even assuming the resignation was not accepted, the least that can be expected from a responsible higher official of the concerned department is to immediately relieve the Principal from his duties and not assign him any other duty of equal responsibility”.

The court has sent Ghosh on a long leave. 

The move to transfer Ghosh had put Mamata Banerjee’s government on the backfoot, with women — staunch supporters of the Chief Minister — being up in arms over the rape-murder and the police handling of the case.

Stung by adverse comments on social media, Ghosh had stepped down not just from the post, but also government service. A government order four hours later announced his transfer to the National Medical College. 

He is now being questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation, which has taken over the probe into the rape-murder that has sparked massive protests across the country.

The agency, sources said, has asked him multiple questions, including ones on hospital security and his resignation. He has also been asked why there was a hurry to declare the death a suicide, the contamination of the crime scene, and the sudden renovation of rooms near the seminar hall where the doctor’s body was found.

Officials hinted that the former principal is yet to give satisfactory answers to these questions.

The CBI is also examining his call records and chat, and has asked him to provide details of his phone calls before and after the August 9 incident.
 

New Delhi:

The discussion on Budget 2024 in Lok Sabha today witnessed a sharp exchange between Speaker Om Birla and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, when the latter claimed that the House did not discuss the three farm laws that were later rolled back and the Chair stressed that it did.

Mr Banerjee, MP from West Bengal’s Diamond Harbour and the Number 2 in the Mamata Banerjee-led party, said in his speech that the Centre got the agricultural bills passed “without any consultation with farmers, farmer organisations or Opposition parties”.

The Speaker intervened: “Let’s set the record straight, this House discussed the issue for five-and-a-half hours.” When Mr Banerjee stressed that no discussion took place, Mr Birla said, firmly, “When the Speaker speaks, he speaks right. You correct yourself.” The Trinamool MP stuck to his guns, prompting the Speaker to say, “When I speak, I don’t speak wrong.”

Earlier, Mr Banerjee’s address targeted the Narendra Modi government over the Budget and drew a response from the treasury benches, especially BJP MPs from Bengal.

The Trinamool general secretary said the Budget lacked “clarity of vision” and was aimed at satisfying BJP coalition partners rather than providing any relief to the country’s 140 crore people.

“This is a budget planned by two individuals to keep another two in good faith,” he said, adding that it was “planned by two, executed for two”. Mr Banerjee said the “anti-people” budget was crafted to “bribe two political parties and buy time before the government implodes”.

The Trinamool MP was referring to TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and JDU leader Nitish Kumar, whose support gave the BJP the required numbers to form the government after its score dropped in this general election. Opposition parties have argued that Budget 2024 was generous for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, ruled by the BJP’s key allies, but other states got nothing substantial.

Earlier today, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman slammed the Trinamool’s criticism of the Budget. “Yesterday, the TMC questioned the Budget, saying nothing has been given to Bengal. Let me highlight the fact that several schemes given by the Prime Minister in the last 10 years have not even been implemented in West Bengal. And you have the audacity to ask me now?” she said in Rajya Sabha.

In response, Mr Banerjee threw a challenge, daring the Finance Minister to release a white paper on how much money the Centre has given to Bengal after BJP’s defeat in the 2021 state polls.

The Trinamool MP said the Centre has withheld MGNREGA funds and lakhs of houses sanctioned under the PM Awas Yojana in Bengal are waiting central funds.

Mr Banerjee said that money that should have been used to build homes is “allocated to purchase aircraft worth Rs 8000 crore and construct palatial buildings as part of Central Vista project worth Rs 20,000 crore while poor people of this country still endure homelessness”.

At one point, Mr Birla said members must avoid commenting on those who are not members of Lok Sabha. This drew strong remarks from the Trinamool members, prompting the Speaker to respond sternly.

“I want to clarify, the Chair said we should not comment on those who are not members of this House. I want to ask you, is West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee a member of this House? Why did they comment? Please maintain the respect of your Chair and make them apologise. Then I will continue, you have to intervene,” he said.

The Speaker replied, “You can continue if you want, I have removed her name from the record, you cannot give directions to me.” At the end of Mr Banerjee’s speech, the Speaker appealed to all members to avoid making remarks on the Chair.

A view of the Parliament building in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament which begins on July 22, the Union government has called for an all-party meeting ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, to be held at 11 a.m. on July 21. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) will skip the meeting, saying that July 21 is observed as Martyrs Day in Bengal in honour of 13 colleagues who were “unlawfully killed in a police firing on the same day in 1993”. 

This will be the first such meeting to be attended by newly-appointed Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. 

The all-party meeting comes ahead of the presentation of the first Union Budget to be presented to the 18th Lok Sabha. The Opposition is expected to present its wishlist at the meeting, as will the Janata Dal (United) and Telugu Desam Party, the BJP’s key allies in the ruling NDA.

The TMC conveyed its inability to attend the meeting in a letter to from its Rajya Sabha Parliamentary leader Derek O’Brien to Mr. Rijiju. “For 30 years now, July 21 has been observed as Martyrs Day in Bengal in honour of our 13 colleagues who were unlawfully killed in a police firing on the same day in 1993,” Mr. O’Brien said, adding that all TMC MPs would be in West Bengal on the day and would not be able to attend the meeting. 

New Delhi:

The West Bengal government has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging Governor CV Ananda Bose’s refusal to give assent to eight bills. The state’s counsel, Astha Sharma, urged the court to list the petition for immediate consideration.

The controversy arose after Governor’s rejection of these bills without citing any reasons, prompting the Trinamool Congress-led government to argue that this action violates Article 200 of the Constitution. According to the state’s submission, denying approval to bills without providing grounds undermines democratic governance.

“The Governor’s oversight poses a threat to democratic governance and infringes upon the rights of the state,” argued the state’s lawyer.

Responding to the development, the Chief Justice stated that the Supreme Court will consider the matter.

Under fire over the chilling incident of mob justice in north Bengal’s Chopra, the ruling Trinamool Congress has said it has a zero tolerance policy on such crimes and launched a counterstrike by drawing parallels with BJP-ruled states and the previous CPM regime in Bengal.

“Trinamool Congress as a party and our government do not support what has happened in Chopra. Police have registered a case suo motu and arrested the main accused. The victim has been provided police security and if anyone else is involved, he won’t be spared,” said Dr Santanu Sen, senior Trinamool leader and former Rajya Sabha MP.

Launching a counter-attack on rivals, the Left and the BJP, he said many such incidents happened when the CPM was in power in Bengal. “But we never saw a CPM leader come out and say it was wrong. Similar incidents also keep happening in BJP-ruled states. But we have never heard a BJP leader say it’s wrong. This can only happen in Bengal because the Trinamool Congress has a zero tolerance policy and we don’t just say it, but we do it,” he said.

A shocking video in which a man is seeing thrashing a woman and another man in public as a crowd watches has triggered massive outrage and scathing criticism of the Mamata Banerjee government. The BJP and the CPM have targeted the Trinamool government and drawn parallels between the state’s law and order situation and a ‘kangaroo’ court.

The Opposition parties have alleged that the main accused, Tajemul, has links with local Trinamool MLA Hamidur Rahman. The MLA has denied any connection with the accused. He has said it was a village matter and not related to the party.

The woman in the video, it is learnt, had eloped with a man following an extramarital affair. The MLA described her as “characterless” while admitting that the “punishment was excessive”.

Main Opposition BJP has torn into the Trinamool Congress over the issue. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia told the media today that the West Bengal is now under “Taliban rule”. “Whether it is Sandeshkhali or poll violence or rape or murder, it is Mamata Banerjee’s responsibility. The state home ministry is under you and law and order has been razed, you must resign,” he said.

Mr Bhatia said the accused, Tajemul, is a Trinamool leader. “He is a habitual offender. He believes in quick justice, kangaroo court justice and he calls it insaf sabha.”

CPM, too, has raised the matter strongly. CPM state secretary and former MP Mohammed Salim tweeted yesterday, “Not even #KangarooCourt! Summary trial and punishment handed out by d @AITCofficial goon nicknamed JCB. Literally bulldozer justice at Chopra under @MamataOfficial rule.”

Mr Salim also said the man who shot the video has now been ousted from his home. “Such is the TMC’s rule in the liberated zone of Chopra under the supervision of @WBPolice,” he said. The CPM leader alleged that Tajemul is also an accused in a murder of a Left leader.

In a swipe aimed at both Trinamool and BJP, he said that the “Suvendu model” continues in Bengal. “Murderers remain at large, travesty of justice continues in Bengal. Courtesy: @MamataOfficial & @abhishekaitc Continuation of @SuvenduWB model,” he said.

New Delhi:

The Trinamool Congress has decided to support Congress’s K Suresh in the rare election for Lok Sabha Speaker today, according to sources. The Mamata Banerjee-led party had yesterday said it was not consulted before K Suresh was fielded against NDA candidate Om Birla and had termed the decision “unilateral”.

Ms Banerjee’s nephew and Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee yesterday said, “We were not contacted about this, there was no discussion. Unfortunately, this is a unilateral decision.” Mr Suresh, however, clarified later that Trinamool’s Derek O’Brien and Kalyan Banerjee attended an INDIA bloc meeting last evening and “everything cleared up”.

Mr Birla, a three-time MP and Speaker in the last Lok Sabha, is clearly a frontrunner in this election. Seven MPs have not taken oath yet and the Wayanad seat in Kerala is vacant. This means 535 MPs are eligible to vote today, and 268 is the majority mark. The NDA candidate has the support of 293 MPs and four MPs from YSR Congress Party. The BJP, sources said, is reaching out to other MPs to cross the 300-mark.

The Opposition, on the other hand, has forced a contest to make a political point. Eight-term MP K Suresh has the support of 233 MPs (including Trinamool’s 29), 35 less than the majority mark. 

This is only the third election for the Lok Sabha Speaker’s post after Independence. The Speaker is generally chosen with consensus. This time, the government had reached out to Opposition parties for their support. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge responded that it will support the NDA candidate if the Deputy Speaker is appointed from the Opposition benches. 

The government, however, made it clear that they are not considering a Deputy Speaker post, or the Opposition’s claim to it, for now. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the Congress for setting conditions. “We appealed to them for support for the Speaker but they said that they would support it but that they wanted the post of Deputy Speaker. We told them that the process of election for both posts is different. The process for choosing the Speaker is conducted before the Deputy Speaker. So it is not right to combine both.”

Congress’s Rahul Gandhi, set to be the Leader of the Opposition, said, “Rajnath Singh called Mallikarjun Kharge and asked him to extend support… entire Opposition said we will support but convention is Deputy Speaker should be from our side. Rajnath Singh said he would call back… but he has not yet…PM is asking for cooperation but our leader is getting insulted.”

It must be noted that the Deputy Speaker’s post, traditionally given to an Opposition MP, was vacant in the last Lok Sabha. In the one before that, the BJP had named its ally AIADMK’s M Thambi Durai.