PM nominated as CPA Vice-President, Speaker elected its President

New Delhi, Sep 9 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was today nominated as the Vice-President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association while Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee was elected as the President of the CPA, which held its meeting of the General Assembly in Abuja, Nigeria.

India is slated to host the the 53rd CPA Conference in the national capital in September next year.

Mr. Chatterjee, who is leading an Indian parliamentary delegation to the 52nd CPA being held in Abuja, participated in the General Assembly and warmly invited the delegates to attend the next conference in India.

The General Assembly also elected Ms C S Sujatha, MP to succeed Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K Rehman Khan as regional Representative from the India Region on the Executive Committee of the CPA.

Addressing the General Assembly on behalf of the British delegation, Lord Swaraj Paul expressed deep sympathy on the loss of several lives in yesterday's bomb blasts in Malegoan (Maharashtra) and the mine accident in Jharkhand, and offered condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the tragic incidents.

As part of the preparations for the 53rd CPA, India has set up a stall at the conference venue in Abuja, showcasing its rich cultural heritage and vibrant democratic institutions.

Yesterday, Mr Chatterjee presided over the Host Branch Plenary Congerence on 'The Role of Parlaimentarians and Civil Society in Poverty Reduction'. Mr Khan also participated in the plenary.

Mr Sarbananda Sonowal, MP represented India in the Plenary on 'Equal Participation of Women and Men in Decision-making Processes at all levsl, with particular emphasis on political participation and leadership', and made his contribution to the deliberations on the theme.

UNI/SKS MSJ BST1904