Congress leader Shanimol Usman was elected Deputy Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, defeating Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate Muhammed Muhsin in the election held during the Assembly session.
Shanimol secured 99 votes, while Muhsin received 34 votes. As per legislative convention, Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan did not participate in the voting process. The three BJP MLAs also abstained from voting and did not field a candidate for the post.
As reported on Gold 101.3 FM, UAE’s No.1 Radio Station, the voting outcome reflected the numerical strength of the United Democratic Front (UDF), though the final tally indicated that a few expected votes were not cast.
The UDF currently has 102 members in the 140-member Assembly. Excluding the Speaker, the alliance was expected to secure 101 votes. However, Shanimol received 99 votes, leaving uncertainty over which members were absent or did not participate in the voting. The Speaker did not specify the names of those absent during the proceedings.
Similarly, the LDF was expected to secure 35 votes but received 34 votes in the election.
Shanimol Usman represents the Aroor constituency in Alappuzha district and is a senior Congress leader. Her opponent, Muhammed Muhsin, is the MLA from Pattambi constituency in Palakkad district.
The Deputy Speaker election took place during the first session of the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly, which commenced on May 21. Earlier, on May 22, senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan was elected Speaker after securing 101 votes in the House.
With her election, Shanimol Usman takes up one of the key constitutional positions in the Assembly and will assist in presiding over legislative proceedings and House business.
