Sabapathy set to be named Speaker of Assembly

PUDUCHERRY: The ruling All India NR Congress (AINRC)  MLA V Sabapathy alias Kothandaraman would become the new Speaker of the Puducherry Assembly on Wednesday after his candidature remained unopposed until Tuesday noon, the deadline fixed for submission of the papers.Since the Opposition parties — Congress, AIADMK, DMK — did not nominate any candidate, and Sabapathy (67) being the only candidate who was nominated by the AINRC members before the Secretary of the Legislative Assembly M Sivapra­kasam, pro-tem Speaker T Thiagarajan will formally announce the MLA as the 18th Speaker when the Assembly meets on Wednesday.As per convention the CM and Leader of Opposition jointly take the Speaker-elect to the chair to preside over the Assembly. However, the Leader of Opposition is yet to be known as the Congress has not named the Congress Legislature Party Leader. In case the party does not name the Leader of Opposition, as per convention ex-CM or ex-speaker or ex-minister on behalf of Opposition will accompany the Speaker to the chair.Earlier, six sets of nominations were filed by members that included Chief Minister N Rangasamy, Ministers  M Chandrakasu, P M Kalyanasundaram, N G Paneerselvam, P Rajavelu  and Independent MLA supporting the government V M C Sivakumar proposing the name of Sabapathy to the post. Sabapathy’s candidature was seconded by AINRC MLAs Vaithiyanathan, P Angalan, P R Siva, P Karthigeyan , G Nehru and Ashok Anand.Sabapathy, a veteran Congressman, who joined AINRC a few weeks ahead of the Assembly polls and defeated INC candidate T Jayamoorthy in the Assembly polls.Rangasamy told reporters: “I thank all the Opposition parties, MLAs and leaders for ensuring the unanimous win of Sabapathy.”