G. Karthikeyan of Congress elected Kerala speaker

Thiruvananthapuram, June 2 : The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala survived its first acid test in the house Thursday when party veteran G. Karthikeyan was elected speaker of the 13th assembly.

The 62-year-old six-time Congress legislator defeated opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) nominee and former electricity minister A.K. Balan by five votes. Karthikeyan got 73 votes while Balan got 68 votes.

The voting was coordinated by protem speaker Saktan Nadar of the Congress and 141 members of the assembly participated, including the one nominated Anglo-Indian member of the Congress party.

Chandy, leader of opposition V.S. Achuthanandan and other party leaders complimented the new speaker.

The house was adjourned for the day and will now meet for the budget session beginning June 24.

A two-time former minister, Karthikeyan was left out of the 20-member Oommen Chandy cabinet. The UDF government came to power last month.

--IANS

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Chandy denies dispute in UDF over Speaker post

Thiruvananthapuram, May 29 : Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today clarified there were no differences among the constituents in the UDF on allocation of Speaker and Deputy Speaker posts in Kerala Assembly.

Talking to newspersons here, he said there was no difference among the Congress leadership and the UDF on the formation of Ministry as alleged by a section of Congress MLAs in the State.

Mr Chandy clarified this following statements by MLAs T N Prathapan and V D Satheeshan that there had been discrepancies in the Cabinet formation.

But, Congress sources said Mr G Karthikeyan was likely to be the next Assembly Speaker.

On the first meeting of the Assembly on June 1, the new MLAs would take oath before Pro-tem Speaker N Sakthan.

However, the UDF will hold a meeting tomorrow to decide the new Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Parliamentary Affairs Posts.

--UNI

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G Karthikeyan elected Speaker of Kerala Assembly

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 2: Veteran Congress leader G Karthikeyan was elected as the Speaker of the 13th Kerala Legislative Assembly today.

As a nominee of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF), Mr Karthikeyan got 73 votes as against Left Democratic Front(LDF) nominee A K Balan's 68 votes.

All the 141 members, including pro-tem Speaker N Sakthan and nominated member Ludy Luis, cast their ballots.

As soon as the counting was over, the pro-tem speaker announced the results and led Mr Karthikeyan to the Speaker's chair.

Representing Aruvikkara in the Assembly, Mr Karthikeyan was born at Varkala on January 20, 1949. He entered politics through student movements and was a leader of Kerala Students Union (KSU). He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree.

He served as the State president of Kerala Students Union. He was a student member of senate of Kerala University and Secretary of Kerala University Union. He also held various posts in Youth Congress, including State General Secretary and State President. He was the General Secretary of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).

In the previous UDF Government, he was a minister. During the LDF Government, he was the Deputy leader of opposition in the Legislative Assembly.

--UNI

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UDF to field Karthikeyan for Speaker post

Thiruvananthapuram, May 30: Congress-led UDF in Kerala today decided to field Senior Congress Leader G Karthikeyan as its candidate for the Speaker's post in the state Assembly.

Briefing newspersons after the UDF meeting, KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala announced the name of Mr Karthikeyan, stating that his name was unanimously selected by all the constituents in the UDF.

Referring to various statements made by MLAs against the party leadership on allocation of portfolios, he said the next KPCC Executive meeting on June eight would discuss those issues and the party would not hesitate to take disciplinary action against those who violated party discipline.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy alleged the Left Parties were propagating false campaign against the UDF on various issues.

Pointing out that many important decisions by the UDF were wrongly interpreted by the media, he said the UDF would also take a unanimous decision on Deputy Speaker and Parliamentary Affairs posts soon as there were no differences of opinion among the constituents in the UDF on the issue.

Alleging the LDF nominees to the top posts of various Corporations and institutions were still continuing in their posts, he urged the Oppsition party to advice their nominees to resign.

--UNI

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