Congress's Gaddam Prasad Kumar unanimously elected Telangana Speaker

Hyderabad: Gaddam Prasad Kumar, the Congress MLA from Vikarabad, was on Thursday unanimously elected as the Speaker of the third Telangana Legislative Assembly. His name was proposed by the ruling Congress and his candidature was supported by all the political parties.

In his first address to the House after his election, Prasad Kumar, describing the Telangana Assembly as a “role model for other legislatures,” said he would discharge his duties to the best of his abilities and ensure that all voices in the House are heard. He said he expects meaningful discussions and debates, adding that he will give time to the members based on the strength of their parties in the House.

He also expressed hope that the media — “the fourth pillar of democracy” — will cooperate by informing people about the proceedings in the House.

Earlier, Prasad Kumar was installed in the chair by pro tem Speaker Akbaruddin Owaisi who read out a list of nominations received from all political parties on Prasad Kumar’s behalf, declared Prasad Kumar elected, and invited him to take the chair.

Speaking soon after, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, complimenting AIMIM, BRS, BJP, and CPI for the unanimous election of the new Speaker, said he hoped that the good tradition established in this process would continue and there would be cooperation and coordination among all sides. “If this is done, then aspirations of the people of Telangana can be fulfilled,” the Chief Minister said.

“Prasad Kumar hails from Vikarabad, known for its hills where people used to go from the time of the Nizams to cure their health. Under his leadership of the House, societal ills can be discussed. With his deep understanding of issues, he will be our guide and such a person will uphold our rights,” he said.

Revanth Reddy, who recollected Prasad Kumar’s long political journey that started as an MPTC and his rise to be the Speaker, said: “Whether he won or lost, he is always with the people. As the handlooms minister (in unified AP), he worked to solve problems faced by weavers, and he brings with him rich experience.”

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Virkamarka said he was confident that the new Speaker would ensure all the rights of the members are protected and ensure time for the members to speak on issues.

BRS MLA K.T. Rama Rao said his party president K. Chandrashekar Rao immediately agreed to the proposal to elect Prasad Kumar and recalled how, during the Telangana agitation, he visited Sircilla to meet with weavers and tried to solve their problems. Rama Rao said he hoped that the new Speaker would continue in the traditions of the first two Speakers of Telangana, S. Madhusudhana Chary and Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, who held the office earlier.

Former legislative affairs minister and BRS MLA Vemula Prashant Reddy said he hoped that Prasad Kumar would “come to the rescue of the Opposition members” and ensure they get opportunities to speak in the House.

Among those who welcomed Prasad Kumar’s election as the Speaker were legislative affairs minister D. Sridhar Babu, CPI MLA K. Sambasiva Rao, ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao, Danasari Anasuya Seethakka, Konda Surekha and Jupally Krishna Rao.

After the new Speaker took charge, BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao, BRS’ Kotha Prabhakar Reddy, Kadiam Srihari, Palla Rajeshwar Reddy and Padi Kaushik Reddy, took oath on Thursday after resigning from their MLC posts.