Thiruvananthapuram: Senior United Democratic Front (UDF) leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has been officially elected as the Speaker of the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly. The veteran politician secured a commanding victory in a ballot-based election held on the floor of the house.
A Decisive Victory in the Assembly
In the election for the Speaker’s post, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan garnered a massive 101 votes. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate, A.C. Moideen, managed to secure 35 votes, while the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate, B.B. Gopakumar, received 3 votes.
Following the official announcement of the results, newly elected Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan jointly escorted Radhakrishnan to the Speaker’s chair, upholding the rich democratic traditions of the Kerala Assembly.
Praise from the Ruling and Opposition Benches
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan congratulated the new Speaker, lauding his lifelong dedication to public service and deep commitment to the state.
Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan also extended his warm wishes, expressing hope that Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan would uphold the highest democratic values and ensure that the voices of the opposition are heard and respected in the house.
“Neutral, But Not Apolitical”: The New Speaker’s Promise
Speaking to the media about his new role, an excited Radhakrishnan stated that he would maintain absolute neutrality while running the house. However, he clarified that stepping into the Speaker’s role does not mean he will become an apolitical person.
When asked about the social media trolls regarding his past “tongue-slips,” the veteran leader brushed them off with his trademark humor, asking playfully, “Who among us has never had a slip of the tongue?”
