Later, leaders from other parties supported Sayeed's candidature through other such motions. Sayeed's election had become a mere formality when the ruling BJP recently succumbed to the pressure from its own allies, mainly Mamata Banerjee and Jayalalitha, who held that keeping with the parliamentary tradition, the post should go to the opposition. For several months, the BJP was reluctant to the idea and toyed with the idea of pushing their own MP Rita Verma for the job.

The consensus on Sayeed's name was reached last month when he secured the backing of the entire Opposition. Perhaps sensing the mood, Vajpayee, while congratulating Sayeed, told him ``better late than never.''

Sharad Pawar, while congratulating Sayeed,particularly thanked Mamata and Jayalalitha for supporting Congress' candidate. He also complimented Vajpayee for ``upholding the tradition of the House.''

Sayeed, in his thanks giving address, was visibly moved. ``I don't see in my election victory or defeat for any party or group in political terms. I only see the victory of the hallowed conventions of this House,'' he said, adding, ``the unanimity of my election will always condition my reflexes in conduct of the proceedings. I hope the members will also demonstrate the same spirit of unanimity.''

Those who showered praises on Sayeed after his House included I K Gujral, Chandra Shekhar, Indrajit Gupta, P A Sangma and R Muthiah.

Speaker G M C Balayogi said Sayeed was an embodiment of virtues that make him an effective parliamentarian. ``His unanimous election is a testimony of the collective wisdom of the House and a triumph of our democratic tradition of achieving consensus through dialogue.''