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Indian Parliament gets its first Dalit woman Speaker
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-03 15:56
Kumar, 64, was unanimously elected to the top constitutional post in Lok Sabha (Lower House) after UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi proposed her name to the Indian Parliament and Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee seconded the proposal, with members cutting across party lines approving her candidature by voice vote. Congratulating Kumar, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, "I salute you. You are embodiment of the same qualities of head and heart. You have a distinguished record -- as a diplomat, as a parliamentarian for 25 years and as minister in the government of India. You are the embodiment of charm, grace and tact." Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also congratulated Kumar, the daughter of late Indian Prime Minister Jagjeevan Ram. |