PM votes for first time in Lok Sabha in 10 years

New Delhi, Aug 13: For the first time in 10 years, the Prime Minister voted in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

Narendra Modi participated in the voting on the Constitution amendment bill to scrap the collegium system of judicial appointments. His predecessor Manmohan Singh could not vote in the Lower House as he was a member of the Rajya Sabha throughout his tenure.

The voting on the historic bill was also an affair with a difference as it was carried out using the old system of slips since division numbers have so far not been alloted to members in the wake of reported reservations in the Opposition camp to sit next to Congress.

The process took a longer time than it usually takes as due to non-allocation of division numbers, the electronic voting system could not be used.

Incidentally, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were not present during the voting.

The Congress chief was present earlier during the election of Deputy Speaker when RJD member Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav utilised the presence of Modi to drive home the point that he should also show a large heart to ensure Leader of the Opposition post went to Congress.

PTI