BJP, Congress candidates file papers for deputy speaker poll

Ahmedabad, Feb 23: Both BJP as well as Congress today fielded candidates for the forthcoming election of a deputy speaker in the Gujarat Assembly, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday.

On the first day of filing nominations, BJP MLA from Gadhada seat Atmaram Parmar filed his papers today. Later in the evening, Congress MLA from Dahod Chandrika Bariya filed her nomination, officials said.

"Both Parmar and Bariya filed their nominations today. The election will take place in the Assembly House on Wednesday," Assembly Secretary D M Patel said. The election has become necessary since the current Gujarat Assembly Speaker Ganpat Vasava has been tested positive for swine flu and admitted to the hospital on Friday, merely four days before the Gujarat Assembly's Budget session, which began today.

Until Wednesday, BJP MLA Neemaben Acharya will act as speaker in-charge. Meanwhile, the Congress has condemned the BJP-led Gujarat state government for not following traditions.

"As per the tradition of this Assembly, the post of the deputy speaker always goes to the opposition party. However, we have seen that BJP government kept that post vacant. Even after the High Court intervened, they filled up that post with their own candidate by not following traditions," former Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil said. Since the BJP enjoys a clear majority in the House, the election is expected to remain a one-sided affair.

PTI