Thiruvananthapuram | A proposal by Kerala Deputy Speaker Shanimol Osman to allow occupants of the post to participate in submission and calling attention motions in the Assembly received support from Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Monday, potentially paving the way for a change in a long-standing House convention.
Concluding her speech in the discussion on the Budget motion of thanks, Osman pointed out that, as per Assembly convention, deputy speakers are not allowed to participate in submissions and calling attention motions.
She indicated that the practice effectively denied deputy speakers an opportunity to present the sentiments of the people of their respective constituencies in the House.
"I make a request in this regard. Let there be better days ahead for future deputy speakers as well," she remarked in a lighter vein.
Intervening in the matter, Satheesan described it as a significant suggestion.
"There is nothing in the Rules of Procedure of the House that prohibits a deputy speaker from participating in submissions or calling attention motions relating to issues in his or her constituency," the chief minister said.
He noted that the restriction was merely a convention followed by the House and not a statutory requirement.
"As per the convention, the deputy speaker should come and sit next to the Leader of the Opposition. Some conventions are meant to be changed," Satheesan said.
He said all MLAs were elected to represent their constituencies and the people expected their representatives to raise local issues in the Assembly.
"I think the entire House will support this suggestion," he added.
Following the chief minister's remarks, Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan assured the House that the proposal would be considered seriously.
"Now that the Chief Minister has also spoken on the matter, I assure the House that the deputy speaker's suggestion will be examined with due seriousness," he said.
Osman represents Aroor constituency in the state assembly.
