AIADMK MLA Anbalagan takes oath as pro tem Speaker of Pondy Assembly

PUDUCHERRY, 18 May 2026: Lt. Governor K. Kailashnathan, administering an oath to MLA A. Anbalagan, as Pro tem Speaker of Puducherry Legislative Assembly, in Lok Niwas on Monday. Photo: KUMAR SS / THE HINDU | Photo Credit: KUMAR SS

AIADMK legislator A Anbalagan was sworn in as pro tem speaker of the Puducherry Assembly during a brief ceremony held in Lok Niwas here on Monday.

Lt Governor K Kailashnathan administered the oath to Anbalagan in Tamil.

Chief Minister N Rangasamy, BJP leader A Namassivayam, another Minister Malladi Krishna Rao (AINRC) from Yanam, legislators belonging to different political parties, Chief Secretary Sharat Chauhan were among those who greeted Anbalagan after he took oath as pro tem speaker.

According to official sources, Anbalagan would administer the oath of office to all the newly elected legislators, officially inducting them as members of the 16th Assembly of Puducherry on the floor of the House on May 20.

Anbalagan, who represents the Uppalam assembly constituency in the Puducherry region, wrested the seat from the DMK in the April 9 elections.

AIADMK is part of the AINRC-led National Democratic Alliance and was allotted two seats to contest as per the agreement with the AINRC.

The party, however, lost in the Orleanpeth constituency in the April 9 poll.

Published on May 18, 2026