Congress legislator V.P. Sivakolundu was sworn in as the protem Speaker of the Puducherry Assembly at a function in Raj Nivas here on Wednesday. Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Sivakolundu.
Sixty-five-year-old Sivakolundu, a first-time legislator of the Congress, was elected from Lawspet assembly segment in the recent elections.
He will in turn administer the oath to the 29 MLAs on Thursday and conduct elections to the post of Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
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The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy, his cabinet colleagues and newly-elected MLAs belonging to the Congress and DMK. Former chief minister N. Rangasamy, MLAs of the AINRC and AIADMK were conspicuous by their absence.
Meanwhile, a release said the Legislative Assembly would be convened on Thursday when the members would take oath.
Election for the post of Speaker will take place on Saturday.
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The Congress and the DMK are likely to nominate former chief minister V. Vaithilingam to the post of Speaker and another MLA from Congress party to the post of Deputy Speaker and they are set to be elected given the strength of the ruling alliance.