Tiruppur North MLA Sathyabama (TVK) created a first in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly by presiding over proceedings from the Speaker’s chair.
The Assembly is headed by Speaker Prabhakar and Deputy Speaker Ravi Shankar. When both are unavailable, the Speaker had earlier named a panel of alternate presiding members to conduct the House.
On Tuesday, during the discussion on grant demands for the Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries departments, Speaker Prabhakar stepped out. With the Deputy Speaker also absent, Sathyabama—listed among the alternate presiding members—was asked to take charge and she conducted the session.
As she took the Speaker’s seat, MLAs from across parties welcomed the moment by thumping desks. Former DMK minister Thangam Thennarasu said it had long been a shared expectation to see a woman in the chair and congratulated her.
Speaker Prabhakar later returned and resumed charge, praising Sathyabama for conducting the House well. He said giving such opportunities to alternate presiding members helps more legislators prepare themselves for responsibilities in the House.
