BJP MLA Embalam R. Selvam assumed office as speaker of Puducherry legislative assembly on Wednesday after he was elected to the post unopposed. Pro-tem speaker Lakshmi Narayanan declared him elected, as Selvam's was the only nomination filed for election.
On being elected as speaker, he was led to the chair by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy and opposition leader R. Siva. Selvam (52) a first-time MLA, is the first ever speaker from the BJP in the Puducherry legislative assembly.
A Masters holder in political science, Selvam began his political career in the DMK. He was part of the DMK for 36 years before switching over to the saffron party to become its Puducherry unit vice president. Selvam has also served as the vice president of Puducherry state Olympic association and held various positions in other sports associations. He is also the founder of Puducherry Makkal Iyakkam Trust, which supports the needy by sponsoring educational scholarships and financial assistance to students.
With Selvam being elected to the post of the speaker, the BJP, which was struggling hard for the past few years to get a foothold in the Tamil heartland, has tasted success. The BJP is also in talks with Rangasamy to get two lucrative portfolios for its MLAs.
Puducherry cabinet, except for the chief minister, have not been sworn in, as the BJP is yet to arrive at a consensus with Rangasamy in deciding the portfolios. The cabinet is yet to take form because of the disagreement on berths between the AINRC and the BJP.
According to sources, the BJP is demanding plum portfolios like finance, education and local administration, a demand Rangasamy is hesitant to meet. The Puducherry government can have a maximum of nine ministers and Rangasamy’s AINRC had categorically said it would retain five and also the post of the speaker. However, it appears that Rangasamy decided to forego the post of the speaker.
Sources said Rangasamy made it clear that he can give only two berths to the BJP. However, it was agreed that BJP will have two cabinet ministers.
