Know which European tradition UP Speaker abolished on his first day

Lucknow: Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Hriday Narayan Dikshit, on his first day as the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Speaker on Thursday, abolished the long standing European tradition of 'searching the Speaker' in the house.

According to the European tradition, on the day of electing the Speaker, the assembly chief sits on anyone's seat in the house and the Leader of the Ruling Party and Leader of Opposition find him and take him to his seat.

On his first day at the helm of the house, Mr Dikshit terminated the convention describing it as a European way of selecting the Speaker.

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The tradition was introduced in Britain where, during 11^th to 14^th century, the relations between Parliament and the King were sour. Following the issues, six Speakers, elected by the house, were assassinated. So, the elected Speakers used to hide in the villages and were searched by the house members to bring them to their seat. This developed into a tradition and was till date being followed here as well.

Speaking while abolishing the tradition, Hriday Narayan Dikshit said, "This is a European tradition which should not be followed from here on."

"The assembly has a very significant role in development of a state. If it lacks power, 'Mahabharat' happens, but if it shows unity and strength, the atmosphere seems like Vedic age," he added.