Hyderabad, Dec 14: Ruling Congress legislator Gaddam Prasad Kumar was elected unanimously as Speaker of the Telangana Assembly, pro-tem Speaker Akbaruddin Owaisi announced on Thursday. Kumar had earlier filed nomination for the post.

"...Shri Gaddam Prasad Kumar (is) elected unanimously to the office of the Speaker," Owaisi declared, congratulating the former. Telangana Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu Takes Charge of His Office.

Gaddam Prasad Kumar Elected as Speaker of Telangana Assembly

After the pro tem Speaker's announcement, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and his deputy Bhatti Vikramarka and BRS MLA KT Rama Rao conducted him to the Speaker's chair.

All the members in the house went to the chair and congratulated the new Speaker.

Revanth Reddy, speaking after Kumar assumed charge, thanked all the parties for supporting his candidature.

Except BJP, all other parties in the Assembly---BRS, AIMIM and CPI, supported Prasad Kumar's candidature.

Revanth Reddy, his cabinet colleagues, BRS Working President Rama Rao, AIMIM MLAs and lone CPI MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao were present when Prasad Kumar's nomination was submitted to the legislature secretary.

The legislature secretary had earlier informed that nominations would be accepted between 10.30 AM to 5 PM on Wednesday, while the election would take place on Thursday. Telangana’s Praja Bhavan Allotted As Official Residence to Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka.

Prasad Kumar, MLA from Vikarabad (SC), had served as a minister during the Congress regime in undivided Andhra Pradesh.

Meanwhile, Owaisi administered the oath of office to some of the newly-elected MLAs including Ministers Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and N Uttam Kumar Reddy and BRS' Rama Rao today.

BJP MLAs, however, stayed away from the House, alleging Owaisi was appointed in violation of rules.

The Congress won 64 seats in the recently concluded assembly elections and its pre-poll ally CPI got 1 seat. BRS bagged 39 seats while its "friendly party" AIMIM was victorious in seven seats. The BJP secured eight seats.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)