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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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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