TDP MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad was unanimously elected Deputy Speaker of Andhra Pradesh Assembly as his was the only nomination received for the post at the expiry of the deadline on Saturday.
His election was announced by Speaker K. Sivaprasada Rao who asked him to take the chair while he himself took a break from proceedings during the debate on motion of thanks to the Governor's address.
Reacting to the election, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu praised Mr. Prasad as a non-controversial leader who occupied a unique position in contemporary politics. Prasad was a linguist, historian and editor of a journal. His father was the backbone of the first world Telugu conference in Hyderabad in 1975.
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Legislative Affairs Minister Y. Ramakrishnudu said Mr. Prasad was chosen for the post because he would ensure decency, decorum and dignity of the House. The Leader of Opposition Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy said Mr. Prasad was a smiling personality.
Replying to the felicitations, the Deputy Speaker appealed to members to see that the scenes of the previous House were not repeated. It was a sad story in the past. He also said he could not come to terms with bifurcation of the State.