Barthawal becomes first deputy speaker of Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN: BJP MLA Vijaya Barthawal was unanimously elected the first deputy speaker of Uttarakhand assembly, on Saturday.

The BJP MLA from Yamkeshwar assembly seat in Pauri district, Barthawal, was elected the first deputy speaker of the state assembly with the main Opposition Congress and BSP decided not to field any candidate against her.

After the formal announcement of her election by the assembly Speaker Harbans Kapoor, the ruling party members, including leader of the house and chief minister B C Khanduri, greeted Barthawal saying, getting elected, as a woman, for this high constitutional post is a step forward towards the women empowerment in the state.

However, the main Opposition Congress and BSP members abstained on the occasion.

Leaders of both the parties said they decided not to field any candidates against Barthwal as they do not have enough number in the house to win the election.

They also criticised the ruling BJP for not following the healthy traditions of a parliamentary democracy and said that the post of deputy speaker goes to the Opposition by convention.

There was no deputy speaker in Uttarakhand since the state was formed in November 2000.