DMK nominees to be elected as Speaker, Dy Speaker

Chennai, May 18 (UNI) Ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) nominees, T Avudaiyappan and V P Duraisamy are all set to be elected as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Tamil Nadu assembly tomorrow as they were the only two candidates to file nominations for the two posts.

The lawyers turned politicians would be formally declared elected unanimously tomorrow, when the House meets for the purpose of electing Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Mr Avudaiyappan's name was proposed by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and seconded by Finance Minister K Anbazhagan. Mr Duraisamy's name was proposed by Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy and seconded by Local Administration Minister M K Stalin.

Senior Congress leader and Pro tem Speaker D Sudharsanam would announce the election of Mr Avudaiyappan as Speaker of the 13th assembly, after which, the member, elected from Ambasamudram in Tirunelveli district would be led to the Chair by Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition O Panneerselvam.

After assuming the chair, Mr Avudaiyappan would announce the election of Mr Duraisamy, elected from Sangagiri reserved constituency in Namakkal district as Deputy Speaker, assembly sources said.

It was widely speculated that the Deputy Speakership would be given to the Congress, but Mr Karunanidhi put at rest such speculations yesterday, when he announced the DMK nominees for the two posts.

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