Chandra Mohan Patowary Takes Oath as Pro-tem Speaker of Assam Assembly
Chandra Mohan Patowary Sworn in as Pro-tem Speaker
Assam Governor (Right) administering oath to MLA Chandra Mohan Patowary as the Pro-tem speaker for 16th state assembly (Photo: @Laxmanacharya54/X)
Guwahati, May 15: Chandra Mohan Patowary, a prominent leader from the BJP, has officially taken the oath as the Pro-tem Speaker for the newly formed 16th Assam Legislative Assembly. This event took place ahead of the Assembly's first session, which is set to begin later this month.
The oath was administered by Lakshman Prasad Acharya at Lok Bhavan in Guwahati.
In a social media update, the Governor of Assam expressed his trust in Patowary's capability to manage the Assembly's initial proceedings with the utmost constitutional respect.
“Today at Lok Bhavan, Assam, Shri Chandramohan Patowary was administered the oath as the Pro-tem Speaker of the newly constituted 16th Assam Legislative Assembly. I am confident that with his vast experience and commitment to democratic values, the initial proceedings of the Assembly will be conducted with full constitutional dignity,” Acharya stated.
After the ceremony, Patowary addressed the media, stating that he has been given the responsibility to oversee the swearing-in of newly elected MLAs during the Assembly session commencing on May 21.
“I have been appointed as the Pro-tem Speaker for the Assembly session scheduled from May 21 by the Assam Governor today. I have been assigned with the responsibility to oversee MLA oath taking,” Patowary remarked.
He expressed his gratitude towards Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the citizens of Assam, reflecting on his extensive political career.
“I have been elected to the Assembly for the seventh term. I express immense warmth for the blessings showered by people,” he added.
As the Pro-tem Speaker, Patowary will administer the oath to all newly elected members of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly and will manage the proceedings until a full-time Speaker is elected.
Once the MLAs have taken their oaths, the Assembly will proceed to elect its Speaker, who will then oversee the House's activities for the remainder of the term.
Previously, the Assam Cabinet had put forth Patowary’s name for the Pro-tem Speaker position in anticipation of the first session of the newly elected Assembly, which is scheduled for May 21, 22, 25, and 26.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also indicated that the distribution of ministerial portfolios in the new Cabinet would occur soon, with ministers taking their oaths during the upcoming Assembly session.
The ruling NDA has nominated former minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass as its candidate for the Speaker's role.
Sarma hinted at a potential expansion of the Assam Cabinet in the first week of June, following the conclusion of the Assembly session.