HYDERABAD: Pileru MLA N Kiran Kumar Reddy took charge as 17th Speaker of the 13th State Legislative Assembly today. Reddy was declared elected unopposed by the pro tem Speaker J C Diwakar Reddy.
Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Chiranjeevi (PRP), Jayaprakash Narayan (LSP), G Kishan Reddy (BJP) and couple of independent MLAs escorted Reddy to his chair. TDP avoided the customary act.
Reddy, a four-time MLA, was the Government Chief Whip in the 12th Assembly.
Reddy, a law graduate from Osmania University completed his degree at Nizam College. He was student’s union president in Nizam college. A keen sports lover Reddy was captain of the Osmania University team during his student days and also played for Hyderabad Ranji Trophy team.
The Chief Minister recalled his association with Kiran Kumar Reddy’s father Amarnath Reddy. ``Kiran Kumar Reddy had leadership qualities right from his childhood and could lead the House with his abilities,’’ the Chief Minister said.
Finance and Legislative Affairs Minister K Rosaiah, while congratulating Reddy, wanted the House to function in accordance with the agenda set by the Business Advisory Committee. He sought the cooperation of the Opposition for this.
Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy said he was sure with the vast experience in the House, the Speaker would do a good job. AIMIM floor leader recalled his association with the Speaker as a junior at Hyderabad Public School.
TDP member P Ashok Gajapati Raju hoped that Speaker should run the House in a meaningful way.
PRP president Chiranjeevi said: “The House is like a temple. All the members should behave like good students in the school and not indulge in mischief,’’ he advised.
Reminding that the previous Speaker KR Suresh Reddy had faced a rough weather, BJLP floor leader G Kishan Reddy urged Kiran Kumar Reddy to act like a `wicket keeper’ by catching all the `balls’ thrown by the Opposition as well as the Treasury Benches. He wanted Reddy to emulate former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterji while discharging his duties.
CPM member J Ranga Reddy urged the Speaker to have a debate on `how the House should function’. Besides acting impartially, the new Speaker should bring in a new trend, he said.
Jayaprakash Narayan of the LSP wanted the ruling party to set a new convention by giving the Deputy Speaker’s post to the Opposition. People were losing faith on Assembly discussions as their problems were not getting resolved.
People would look at Speaker’s wisdom whenever there was an important discussion in the Assembly, he added.
Revenue Minister D Prasada Rao wanted the Speaker to give opportunity to express their views to both Government and Opposition members.
Ministers G Aruna Kumari, D Nagender, P Ramachandra Reddy, PRP member Shobha Nagi Reddy were among those who congratulated Kiran Kumar.