Only trust vote, not Speaker's election tomorrow, Balmuchu

Ranchi, Sep 19 (UNI) Officiating Speaker Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu today asserted that the main agenda of the House tomorrow will be the vote of confidence, sought by newly installed Madhu Koda-led UPA government in Jharkhand.

In the wake of the BJP's demand for election of regular Speaker before conducting the trial of strength, Mr Balmuchu also made it clear that no such programme would figure in tomorrow's agenda.

Mr Balmuchu, addressing a press conference at his office chamber here, said the session would begin at 1100 hrs.

'' Debate would be allowed only if the members ask for it, otherwise we would directly go for the voting and then the House would be adjourned sine die, '' Mr Balmuchu said.

He said the proceedings of the session would not be telecast live tomorrow, adding the Assembly would record the session for its references only.

UPA-backed Independent MLA Madhu Koda was sworn in yesterday as Chief Minister with three other Ministers, who with total strength of 42 members would seek vote of confidence in the 82-member House.

Meanwhile, BJP Legislator Saryu Rai today sent a letter to Governor Syed sibtey Razi, urging him to direct Mr Balmuchu to conduct election of permanent Speaker before the confidence motion was taken up.

Mr Rai said appointing an officiating Speaker in absence of regular incumbent was a wrong tradition and against the spirit of Constitution.

The appointment of the officiating Speaker was done yesterday by that government, which was yet to prove majority in the House, he said adding Mr Koda had been given time till September 25 to go for floor test and by the time the new government could decide on the Speaker and then go for the floor test.

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