MB Rajesh resigns as Speaker

Thiruvananthapuram: MB Rajesh resigned from the post of assembly speaker on Saturday. He submitted his resignation to deputy speaker Chittayam Gopakumar in the assembly complex.
Rajesh will be sworn in as the new minister in the LDF government on Tuesday. He will replace MV Govindan, who has taken over as the new CPM state secretary.
The government is likely to convene a one-day assembly session to elect AN Shamseer as the new speaker. Since the government has not requested the governor to prorogue the assembly after the recently-concluded session, a one-day session can be convened within short notice.
While speaking to the media after submitting his resignation, Rajesh said during his stint of 15 months as speaker, the session was held for 83 days, and 65 bills were passed. On the Lok Ayukta (Amendment) and University Act (Amendment) bills passed by the assembly, Rajesh said both bills have been sent to the governor for approval.
On Shamseer’s elevation as the new speaker, Rajesh said, “He has been playing in the forefront of the treasury benches. Now he will have to take up the role of a referee.”
On his role as the speaker, Rajesh said he hopes he has done well. “It is the opposition that has to say about my role and performance. Hope they will not say anything bad about me,” he said.