V Sasi of the CPI, representing the Chirayinkeezh constituency, has been elected the Deputy Speaker of the 14th Kerala Legislative Assembly.
Sasi beat IC Balakrishnan, candidate of the Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front, by 90 votes to 45 after voting took place this morning on the floor of the House.
Lone BJP member O. Rajagopal did not present himself for the vote today. He had raised the hackles of the party after he announced that he had voted for CPI(M) candidate in the Speaker's election.
Independent member PC George wasted his vote on purpose in a pattern that he demonstrated earlier during the election of the Speaker.
Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan did not vote today as did two legislators from the Opposition and one from the ruling Left Democratic Front due to various reasons.
The ruling front has a strength of 92 including an Anglo-Indian member in the 140-strong Assembly while the Opposition has 47.
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