'Won't Take Oath': BJP's Raja Singh Says As Akbaruddin Owaisi Appointed T'gana Pro-tem Speaker

AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi on Friday was appointed the pro-tem speaker for the first session of the newly-elected third Telangana State Legislative Assembly,  which is scheduled to begin tomorrow.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Clause (1) of Article 180 of the Constitution of India, the Governor of Telangana hereby appoints Sri Akbar Uddin Owaisi being a Member of the Telangana Legislative Assembly to perform the duties of the Speaker of the Telangana Legislative Assembly till a Speaker is elected under Article 178 of the Constitution of India and also to be the person before whom the elected Members of the Assembly shall make and subscribe oath or affirmation as required under Article 188 of the Constitution of India,” a notice issued by the state legislature stated.

What is a Pro-tem Speaker?

A Pro-tem Speaker is a temporary officer of the house who officiates the assembly session until all the newly-elected members are sworn in and elect an official speaker.

Once the Assembly speaker is elected, the pro-tem speaker’s position dissolves and the official speaker takes over the role.

BJP Oppose Akbaruddin Owaisi’s Appointment

The appointment of Akbaruddin Owaisi, brother of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, has turned into a massive political controversy in Telangana with BJP leaders threatening to boycott the oath-taking ceremony if he takes up the position.

Three-time Goshamahal MLA, Raja Singh on Friday said that BJP leaders will not take oath if AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi is made pro-tem speaker.

According to media reports, Singh in his announcement addressed the AIMIM leader using derogatory language and questioned the Congress’ intentions. The BJP leader claimed that the Congress was trying to woo Muslim voters with the move.

Singh also attacked the newly elected Chief Minister Revanth Reddy alleging him to be walking in the footsteps of the previous BRS government.

Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday held a ‘Praja Darbar’ at his camp office-cum-official residence, a day after assuming office. In his Praja Darbar, the Congress leader heard the grievances of the common people, promising to address them at the earliest.

People queued up in large numbers at the newly renamed Jyotirao Phule Praja Bhavan for the ‘Praja Darbar.’