YSR Cong may not accept Dy Speaker's post

New Delhi: The YSR Congress Party is unlikely to accept the post of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha as it does not want to be seen aligned with the BJP-led ruling NDA until the Narendra Modi government fulfil its demand of granting special status to Andhra Pradesh, a senior leader of the party said Sunday.

YSR Congress, which is fourth largest party with 22 members in the 17th Lok Sabha, wants to maintain equidistance from both the ruling and opposition sides, the leader said.

"Opposition especially the Congress is also responsible for Andhra Pradesh not getting the special status tag. It bifurcated the state but did not give it special status. So we will also be maintaining distance from them too," the leader said. However, he said the party may extend its support to the ruling dispensation on certain issues which would be in the interest of the country.

On the Deputy Speaker's post, sources in the YSR Congress Party said there was no direct or formal offer made but there were indications.