Joining issues with the British delegation in Malaysia, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee [Images] on Friday asserted that no "deal" was made to support Malaysia's candidature to a senior post in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association election for which is to be held on Saturday.

"I totally repudiate these statements. I don't think any such arrangement for quid quo pro was made three years ago in Fiji when India's candidate West Bengal Speaker Hashim

Abdul Halim contested and won handsomely," Chatterjee said.

Referring to the remarks by British MP Hugh Bayley, who is the leader of the UK Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), that "deals were allegedly stuck three

years ago between India and Malaysia" when Halim was elected as Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Chatterjee said it was Bayley's "own view".

Indian-origin business magnate Lord Swraj Paul is tied in a contest with Malaysia's Unity and Culture Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal for the post of the Chairman.

Lord Paul, whose name was proposed by Britain and Canada [Images], felt a clarification was required on the atmosphere with the developing and developed countries forming opposing groups.

"This is not the spirit of the CPA," he said.

Paul said the person who was elected to the post should be the "best person for the job who has the understanding, ability, experience to manage and deliver and who also had the time available to carry out this task."

 Chatterjee, who is heading the Indian parliamentarians delegation to the 54th Commonwealth parliamentarians meeting underway here, said "I was there when Halim was elected. Everybody appeals to others for votes."