Anbalagan appointed Puducherry assembly pro tem speaker

PUDUCHERRY: AIADMK MLA A Anbalagan was appointed as the pro tem speaker of the legislative assembly of the Union territory of Puducherry. Elected for the record fifth time from the Uppalam constituency, Anbalagan was recommended based on his vast legislative experience. Lieutenant governor K Kailashnathan approved his appointment.

Anbalagan will administer the oath of office to the newly elected MLAs, including chief minister N Rangasamy, during the first session of the new assembly on May 18. Later, a permanent speaker will be elected.

The NDA led by the AINRC retained power in the recently concluded elections, securing a comfortable majority with 18 seats. Rangasamy has already been sworn in as chief minister for a record fifth term, while BJP MLA A Namassivayam and AINRC’s Malladi Krishna Rao took oath as ministers. The cabinet is yet to be fully formed.

The forthcoming assembly session is viewed as a significant event that will not only formalise the status of the new legislators but also signal the govt’s political direction. The selection of the permanent speaker and the subsequent cabinet expansion will be closely watched as the NDA begins its new term in the Union territory. Intense lobbying is under way for the remaining three ministerial berths. Sources suggest that factors such as regional balance, caste representation, and coalition dynamics are causing a delay in the final cabinet expansion.

Another major point of discussion in Puducherry’s political circles is Rangasamy’s choice of constituency. Having won from both Thattanchavady and Mangalam, he has to vacate one seat. Speculation is rife that he may resign from the Thattanchavady seat, though an official announcement is awaited.