Kodela Sivaprasad Rao, Senior Telugu Desam leader and MLA from Sattenapalli constituency of Guntur district, has taken over as the Speaker of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
He was elected unanimously.
Pro-tem Speaker P Narayanaswamy Naidu today announced the election of Kodela amid wide applause from House members.
The pro-tem Speaker then ushered the new Speaker to the Chair in the old Assembly building, which has been allotted to AP following the bifurcation.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Leader of Opposition YS Jaganmohan Reddy, Legislative Affairs Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and other legislators escorted Kodela to the Chair.
Kodela, a surgeon by profession, has been elected to the Assembly from Guntur district for the sixth time.
He has been a member of the Telugu Desam Party since its inception and has served as minister in prime portfolios like home, major irrigation, panchayat raj and rural development and medical and health departments in the Cabinets of the late NT Rama Rao and Chandrababu Naidu.
In keeping with tradition, the main Opposition YSR Congress had supported Kodela’s candidature for the post of Speaker.
Upon a request by Legislative Affairs Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, Jaganmohan Reddy signed Kodela’s nomination papers for the Speaker’s post.
The Chief Minister, Jagan and other members congratulated Kodela upon his election as Speaker.