Mavelikkara MP Suresh Complains About Not Being Invited to Official Event

Mavelikkara MP Kodikunnil Suresh has complained to the Lok Sabha Speaker about not being invited to an official government event. He feels this is a breach of rules.
By Newsroom | Politics, India |

The sitting Member of Parliament for Mavelikkara, Kodikunnil Suresh, has lodged a complaint with the Lok Sabha Speaker, alleging a breach of parliamentary protocol and conventions. The complaint centers on his reported exclusion from a significant official government function. Suresh contends that omitting a constituency's MP from such an event constitutes a serious violation and seeks an examination of the matter by the Parliamentary Privilege and Ethics Committee.

Kodikunnil Suresh complains to Lok Sabha Speaker. Parliamentary Privilege & Ethics Committee over protocol violation - 1

The incident follows closely on the heels of criticism leveled by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other political figures regarding Suresh's non-appointment as the pro-tem Speaker. Vijayan publicly questioned the Union government's decision, asserting that Suresh, as the most senior MP in the Lok Sabha, was overlooked in contravention of established practice. This criticism emerged after Bhartruhari Mahtab, a seven-term parliamentarian from the BJP, was appointed to the role for the commencement of the 18th Lok Sabha.

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Kodikunnil Suresh complains to Lok Sabha Speaker. Parliamentary Privilege & Ethics Committee over protocol violation - 2

Past Allegations of Conduct and Exclusion

Suresh himself has previously brought concerns about parliamentary conduct to the Speaker's attention. In December 2024, he was among three Congress MPs who wrote to the Lok Sabha Speaker alleging that Rahul Gandhi had been "physically manhandled" by BJP MPs within Parliament premises. This incident, described as antithetical to the democratic spirit, involved alleged obstruction by BJP MPs wielding sticks.

Kodikunnil Suresh complains to Lok Sabha Speaker. Parliamentary Privilege & Ethics Committee over protocol violation - 3

In a separate instance from June 2024, reports indicated that Suresh was a "late entrant" in the Lok Sabha Speaker race and had accused the government of "breaking convention" regarding the naming of an opposition leader as Deputy Speaker. The opposition's pick for Speaker, Suresh, was slated to contend against the BJP's Om Birla for the post, a contest that has not occurred in decades.

Kodikunnil Suresh complains to Lok Sabha Speaker. Parliamentary Privilege & Ethics Committee over protocol violation - 4

Context of Parliamentary Scrutiny

These events unfold against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny on parliamentary procedures. Notably, the Lok Sabha has, for the first time in approximately four decades, seen a resolution debated seeking the removal of its presiding officer, Speaker Om Birla. This process, governed by specific constitutional mechanics, notably excludes the Speaker from presiding over their own removal proceedings, as per Article 96 of the Indian Constitution.

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Kodikunnil Suresh, an eight-term MP, has previously faced scrutiny regarding criminal cases, including those related to rioting and obstructing public servants, and declared assets amounting to Rs 1.5 crore during elections. However, the recent complaints focus on the institutional adherence to parliamentary norms and conventions. The BJP, in response to the pro-tem Speaker controversy, suggested that the Congress could appoint Suresh as the Leader of the Opposition as a form of protest against his perceived sidelining.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Mavelikkara MP Kodikunnil Suresh complain to the Lok Sabha Speaker?
Kodikunnil Suresh complained because he was not invited to an important official government event. He believes this is a breach of parliamentary protocol and conventions.
Q: What is the main reason for Kodikunnil Suresh's complaint about the official event?
Suresh feels that not inviting the MP of the area to an official event is a serious violation of rules. He wants the Parliamentary Privilege and Ethics Committee to look into it.
Q: Is this complaint related to Suresh not being chosen as pro-tem Speaker?
Yes, this complaint comes after Suresh was not appointed as the pro-tem Speaker. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also criticized this decision, saying it went against the norm of appointing the most senior MP.
Q: Who was appointed as the pro-tem Speaker instead of Suresh?
Bhartruhari Mahtab, a BJP MP with seven terms in parliament, was appointed as the pro-tem Speaker for the start of the 18th Lok Sabha.
Q: Has Kodikunnil Suresh raised issues about parliamentary conduct before?
Yes, in December 2024, Suresh and other Congress MPs complained that Rahul Gandhi was physically handled by BJP MPs in Parliament. He has also previously raised concerns about convention in appointing the Deputy Speaker.