Chennai: TVK MLA JCT Prabhakar, elected from Thousand Lights, was sworn in as the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Monday. TVK MLA Ravishankar, elected from Thuraiyur, was chosen as Deputy Speaker.
The ruling TVK formed the government with the support of DMK and its allies after winning 108 seats in the Assembly election. TVK leader Vijay took oath as Chief Minister on May 10, along with nine MLAs including Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and Sengottaiyan as ministers.
Ahead of the Speaker’s election, Cholavandhan MLA Karuppaiya assumed charge as pro-tem Speaker. The first sitting of the new Assembly was held on May 11, during which all 233 newly elected MLAs took oath.
When the House met for the second day at 9.30 am, seats were formally allotted. Opposition floor leaders were given front-row seating, while alliance parties—Congress, VCK, CPI, CPM and the Indian Union Muslim League—were accommodated in the ruling side’s front row.
The pro-tem Speaker announced that Prabhakar and Ravishankar were elected unopposed. Minister Sengottaiyan and Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi escorted Prabhakar to the Chair as per tradition. In all, 17 leaders, including Chief Minister Vijay and Udhayanidhi, congratulated the new Speaker and urged him to act with neutrality. The Assembly will reconvene at 9.30 am on Tuesday.
