Padma Rao unanimously elected as deputy speaker
The Chief Minister praised Mr Padma Rao's agitation against the then Congress government's decision to shut down toddy shops.
Hyderabad: Secunderabad legislator T. Padma Rao was unanimously elected Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy announced in the House on Monday.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, Opposition leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and representatives of other parties ceremonially escorted Mr Padma Rao to the chair.
Congratulating him, Mr Chandrasekhar Rao recalled his association of more than two decades with Mr Padma Rao, and how the two had fought together for statehood.
The Chief Minister praised Mr Padma Rao’s agitation against the then Congress government’s decision to shut down toddy shops. He said that when Mr Padma Rao was excise minister in the first TRS government, he persuaded the Cabinet to reopen the toddy shops that provided employment to lakhs of toddy-tappers.
Thanking the Chief Minister and other members Mr Padma Rao said that only when the legislature takes up issues of public importance and involves in constructive debate can it help build a strong society and help in development of the state.