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Telangana gets its first Dalit Speaker as Gaddam Prasad Kumar is elected unopposed

The ruling and Opposition party leaders promised to cooperate with the Speaker to ensure the smooth conduct of the House.

Raj Rayasam

Published Dec 14, 2023 | 12:47 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 14, 2023 | 12:47 PM

BRS working president KT Rama Rao said the party did not field a candidate since K Chandrashekar Rao wanted Gaddam Prasad Kumar to elected unopposed. (File pic/X)

BRS working president KT Rama Rao said the party did not field a candidate since K Chandrashekar Rao wanted Gaddam Prasad Kumar to elected unopposed. (File pic/X)

Former minister and Vikarabad MLA Gaddam Prasad Kumar was declared elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Telangana Legislative Assembly on Thursday, 24 December.

Pro-tem Speaker Akbaruddin Owaisi announced Kumar’s election.

The announcement was made after Owaisi administered the oath of office and secrecy to a handful of MLAs who could not swear in when the third Assembly of Telangana met for the first time on 9 December.

Chief Minister and leader of the House A Revanth Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu, CPI member K Sambasiva Rao, BRS working president K Taraka Rama Rao were among those who accompanied Kumar to his chair.

After his election, the leaders of the ruling and the Opposition party leaders spoke, promising cooperation in ensuring an orderly conduct of the House.

They expressed hope that under his leadership, the Assembly would be able to take up meaningful discussions on issues that the people face.

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The chief minister described Kumar as a man committed to the service of the people. He recalled how Kumar had lost his father early in his life and how he had taken responsibility of his family. He thanked the Opposition parties for making the election unanimous.

BRS working president Rama Rao said party president K Chandrashekar Rao has decided to ensure the unopposed election of the Speaker and accordingly, the party did not field any candidate. He said the rise of Kumar from Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency to the office of the Speaker should serve as a source of inspiration for others.

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