Puducherry’s Pro-tem Speaker Anbalagan does not rule out presiding over Budget session

Pro-tem Speaker A. Anbalagan has not ruled out the possibility of him chairing the Budget session of the Legislative Assembly starting from August 24 in Puducherry. 

“There is no rule which does not allow the pro-tem Speaker to chair the regular session of the Legislative Assembly. It is up to the government to decide on holding the Speaker election. The Assembly Secretariat had written a letter to the Lieutenant Governor on June 24 to facilitate convening of the Assembly on July 2 to elect the Speaker. That has not materialised. Now, the government could elect the Speaker before August 24 or continue with the Pro-tem Speaker arrangement for the budget session,” he said to a question at a press conference to announce a training programme for newly elected MLAs on Wednesday.

When asked about DMK’s threat to boycott the budget session if the Speaker election was not held before convening of the Assembly, Mr. Anbalagan said he would hold talks with DMK legislators. “There is no need for them to boycott the session on the issue of Speaker election,” he said. 

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin had given a letter announcing the appointment of A.M.H Nazeem as DMK’s legislature party leader, the Pro-tem Speaker said. “On the basis of the letter and DMK’s present strength in the Assembly, Mr. Nazeem is the natural choice for the post of Opposition leader. An announcement will be made in the Budget session of the Assembly,” he said.

Mr. Anbalagan said Tamil Thai Vazhthu will be sung as the first song in the Assembly. “There is no need to pass any resolution in the Assembly making mandatory singing of Tamil Thai Vazthu first in State functions as it is our right. The budget session will commence with the Tamil Thai Vazthu,” he added.