Thiruvananthapuram, 21 May (H.S.):Marking a significant political moment in Kerala, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to field its own candidate for the post of Speaker in the Kerala Legislative Assembly for the first time in the state's political history. State BJP president and newly elected MLA Rajeev Chandrasekhar announced on Thursday that B.B. Gopakumar, the party's MLA from Chathannoor in Kollam district, will contest in the election scheduled for Friday.
The decision comes after the BJP secured three seats in the recently concluded Assembly elections, marking its strongest-ever representation in the Kerala legislature. Apart from Gopakumar, the BJP's legislators in the Assembly include Rajeev Chandrasekhar and former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan.
Addressing reporters, Chandrasekhar said the party viewed the move as a significant milestone in its political journey in the state and a reflection of its growing presence in Kerala politics.
For the first time in Kerala's political history, there will be a BJP candidate in the election for the Speaker's post. B.B. Gopakumar will be our candidate and his nomination will be proposed by myself and V. Muraleedharan, Chandrasekhar said.
The Speaker's election has gained political attention amid changing equations in the newly constituted Assembly. The ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has already named senior Congress leader and veteran legislator Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the post. Meanwhile, the Left Democratic Front (LDF), now in the Opposition, has not yet announced its candidate.
Ahead of participating in Assembly proceedings and taking oath as legislators, the BJP's newly elected MLAs paid floral tributes at the Palayam Martyrs' Memorial in Thiruvananthapuram, symbolically beginning their new legislative journey.
The Speaker's election on Friday is expected to be closely watched, particularly in light of the BJP's historic decision to formally enter the contest.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
