THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Shanimol Osman was elected deputy speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. She became one of the only fourth woman in the state’s history to hold the constitutional post.The election took place during the ongoing first session of the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly. Osman defeated Left Democratic Front (LDF) nominee Muhammed Muhsin by gaining a significant lead in the voting held in the Assembly House.Kerala speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, while announcing the results, said, “I am announcing the result of the election. Mohammed Muhsin (LDF) secured 34 votes, while Shanimol Usman (UDF) received 99 votes. Four members abstained from voting, including the Speaker. I did not cast my vote. I hereby declare Shanimol Usman elected as the deputy speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly.”Voting began at 9am for the post in the Assembly in Thiruvananthapuram. Both UDF and LDF members participated in the voting process. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members, however, abstained from voting. The MLAs remained present in the House but chose not to cast their votes.The deputy speaker election comes days after governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar delivered the policy address of the newly constituted Assembly on May 29. It highlighted the priorities of the UDF government led by chief minister VD Satheesan, including welfare initiatives, economic development, public sector reforms and measures to tackle the growing drug menace in the state.Among the key announcements were free travel for women on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses, a monthly allowance for college-going female students, higher welfare pensions, enhanced health insurance coverage and interest-free loans for young entrepreneurs.The election is being held during the first Assembly session after the Congress-led UDF returned to power, ending a decade-long gap and forming the government under chief minister VD Satheesan last month.(With inputs from ANI)
