Karia Munda, BJP's tribal leader from Jharkhand, was today named by the party as its candidate for the post of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.
"The BJP's Central Parliamentary Board held a meeting today after the government's proposal that as per the convention that the Deputy Speaker's post be given to the main opposition party.
"The Parliamentary Board decided to name six-time party MP in the Lok Sabha Karia Munda as the candidate for the post," BJP General Secretary Arun Jaitley told reporters.
72-year-old Munda was a minister in the Morarji Desai government and later in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee ministry. He was earlier an MLA in Bihar and later in Jharkhand.
When asked whether Munda's candidature was done with the aim of winning tribal support for the party, Jaitley said, "It is true that Munda belongs to the ST community, but along with that he has a vast legislative experience and this decision was made considering his seniority."
With Congress nominating its Dalit face Meira Kumar for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker, BJP was expected to field a tribal or an OBC for Deputy Speakership.
BJP sources said Sripad Naik, an OBC from North Goa, was another name being considered by the party for the post.
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The party was earlier planning to field veteran BJP leader and MP from Indore Sumitra Mahajan but gave up the idea when Congress nominated Kumar.
Congress had offered Deputy Speakership to the BJP last Saturday in keeping with the convention that the position has been held by the opposition.
Munda later told PTI that his nomination would send a "good message" among the tribals because the community has got honour.
He, however, denied that his party played the tribal card by selecting him for the post.
Welcoming the nomination of Kumar for the Speaker's post, he said, "It is good that a woman is all set to become Speaker this time."
The senior BJP leader felt that much needed to be done for empowerment of dalits and tribals.
He hoped the 15th Lok Sabha will not have much disturbance "as more new and educated persons have been elected. They will learn and bring new ideas. Good people have been elected and I do not see any trouble."
Asked how he would run the House, Munda said he would ensure that it functions according to the laid down procedures. "I will like to see that norms are followed without being soft or hard," he said.
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP MP Arjun Munda hailed Karia Munda's nomination saying it will send a very positive signal in the tribal state.