V.P. Sivakolundhu, Lawspet MLA, took over as Speaker of the Assembly on Monday.
The Opposition boycotted the proceedings on the ground that the election was conducted in an undemocratic manner.
Soon after the House assembled on Monday, government whip R.K.R. Anantharaman occupied the Chair to announce the unopposed election of Mr. Sivakolundhu, who was hitherto Deputy Speaker.
Mr. Anantharaman said the Assembly Secretariat had received six sets of papers proposing and nominating Mr. Sivakolundhu as the Speaker.
He then requested Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy and Ministers to accompany the Chair.
The Chief Minister said the Speaker’s post had been occupied in the past by men of calibre such as M.O.H. Farooq, V. Sabapathy and V. Vaithilingam.
Mr. Narayanasamy said he was certain that Mr. Sivakolandhu would uphold the dignity of the Chair and be just to the ruling party and the Opposition members.
He flayed the Opposition for boycotting a solemn occasion. There was no truth in Opposition’s argument that the Speaker’s election was held in an unfair manner.
The Chief Minister pointed out that after the All India N.R. Congress won the 2011 Assembly elections, it announced its decision to hold election of the Speaker on June 26.
The election date was fixed as June 29, leaving only two days for filing nominations, he said.
Minister for Public Works A. Namassivayam, Minister for Social Welfare M. Kandasamy, Minister for Power R. Kamalakannan and DMK leader R. Siva congratulated the new Speaker
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Sivakolundhu said he would conduct the Assembly proceedings in a fair manner. He said the House was the only place where members could discuss issues faced by the public.
After the session was adjourned sine die, V. Vaithilingam, who was elected to Lok Sabha from Puducherry seat, submitted his resignation as Member of the Legislative Assembly representing Kamaraj Nagar.
Once the Assembly secretariat notified the vacancy, the Election Commission would announce the date for byelection from Kamaraj Nagar constituency.