The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagm (DMK), which is tipped to be the principal Opposition party with its present strength of legislators, has demanded that steps be taken immediately to elect a Speaker for the Puducherry Legislative Assembly.

Party leader in the Assembly A.M.H. Nazeem, in a statement, said the Assembly has been convened for August 24 for presenting the Budget for 2026-27. The session was slated to commence with the customary address of the Lt. Governor followed by the presentation of the Budget by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, who is also the Finance Minister, in the afternoon. The commencement of the Assembly was announced by Pro-tem Speaker A. Anbalagan last week, the DMK leader said.

“Never in the history of the Puducherry Assembly has the commencement of the session been announced by a Pro-tem Speaker. We should not set another precedent of the Assembly proceedings being conducted by a Pro-tem Speaker. It will be most undemocratic to do so, if we allow the Pro-tem Speaker to chair the proceedings,” said Mr. Nazeem, who is an eight-time legislator and one of the most senior members of the Puducherry Assembly.

The role of the Pro-tem Speaker, he said, ends with the oath-taking of the newly elected legislators and convening the Assembly for the Speaker’s election. Mr. Anbalagan was appointed as Pro-tem Speaker on May 15. He would soon be completing 100 days as Pro-tem Speaker, the DMK leader said.

“The ruling alliance partners, the AINRC and the BJP, should end the uncertainty over the Speaker post so that the Budget session can be presided over by an elected Speaker. The Lt. Governor and Chief Minister should take immediate steps for the Speaker’s election,” Mr. Nazeem said.