ASSUMING CHARGE: Leader of the House K. Anbazhagan (left) and Opposition leader O. Paneerselvam leading the new Speaker Avudaiappan to the chair at the Secretariat in Chennai on Friday. — Photo: M. Vedhan

CHENNAI : R. Avudaiappan and V.P. Duraisamy were declared elected as the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Friday.

When the Assembly began its session, pro tem Speaker D. Sudarsanam announced the election of Mr. Avudaiappan. He said, as there were no other nominations for the post of Speaker, Mr. Avudaiappan was declared elected unanimously. The new Speaker was then taken to his seat by leader of the House K. Anbazhagan and Opposition leader O. Paneerselvam.

After taking charge, the Speaker announced that Mr. Duraisamy had been unanimously elected Deputy Speaker.

Leaders from all parties felicitated the new Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said that the House had a history and the post of Speaker was occupied by eminent persons such as the late C. Chellapandian and P.T.R. Palanivel Rajan, who were known for their firmness and kindness. The newly elected persons should keep in mind the tradition while conducting the proceedings of the Assembly. The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker should utilise their legal experience in conducting the House. He wanted the new members to get accustomed to the rules and regulations of the House. He assured the Opposition members that he would always honour their opinions.

Leader of the house Mr. Anbazhagan said the members had expressed their faith in the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker by electing them unanimously.

Mr. Paneerselvam said once the Speaker occupied the post, he ceased to be a member of any political party. He hoped that the two would adopt a balanced approach and observe complete neutrality.

Congress Legislature Party leader D. Sudarsanam, G.K. Mani of the Pattali Makkal Katchi, C. Govindasamy of the CPI(M), V. Sivapunniam of the CPI, K. Selvam of the Dalit Panthers, Vijayakant of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam and the lone independent member T. Ramachandran offered felicitations to the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.

In their acceptance speech, Mr. Avudaiappan and Mr. Duraisamy assured the members that they would be impartial and would give equal opportunity to all the members.

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