The 16th Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly commenced its first session on Friday with the swearing-in ceremony of the newly-elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). This session marks a significant moment for the state, as it is the first after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition came to power, sweeping the 2024 elections with a landslide victory.
TDP MLA G Butchaiah Chowdary presided over the initial proceedings as the Pro-tem Speaker. The session began at 9:45 AM in the Assembly Hall located in Velagapudi, Amravati, and saw an enthusiastic gathering of MLAs from the ruling party and opposition.
Chandrababu Naidu returns as CM
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu made his return to the assembly after more than two and a half years, taking center stage as the leader of the new government. Naidu, who represents the Kuppam constituency, was the first to take the oath, followed by his Deputy Chief Minister, actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan.
Naidu’s re-entry into the legislative assembly was met with enthusiasm and optimism, as he greeted fellow members after taking the oath. He then proceeded to the Pro-tem Speaker’s chair to exchange pleasantries with G Butchaiah Chowdary, setting a cordial tone for the rest of the session.
Pawan Kalyan’s first assembly appearance
Another notable figure in the assembly was Janasena Party chief and newly-elected MLA Pawan Kalyan, who made his first appearance in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly since entering politics 16 years ago. Kalyan, who won from the Pithapuram constituency, was appointed Deputy Chief Minister in Naidu’s new cabinet, signaling his party’s critical role in the TDP-led coalition.
Kalyan’s arrival in the assembly garnered significant attention, with many seeing his participation in state politics as a major shift. As he took the oath, he received a warm reception, underscoring the growing influence of his party within the coalition government.
Election of new speaker and deputy speaker
One of the key items on the agenda for this session is the election of a new Speaker and Deputy Speaker. According to TDP sources, senior party leader and Narsipatnam MLA C Ayyannapatrudu is expected to be elected as the new Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. His appointment is anticipated to bring stability and experience to the assembly’s proceedings.
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The election of the Deputy Speaker will also take place during this session, with expectations that the TDP will make strategic appointments to ensure smooth legislative operations under its leadership.
TDP-led NDA sweeps the elections
The 2024 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections were a resounding victory for the TDP-led NDA alliance, which won an overwhelming 164 out of 175 seats in the state assembly. The election results signaled a return to power for Chandrababu Naidu, who previously served as Chief Minister from 2014 to 2019, and demonstrated the political strength of the alliance, which includes both the TDP and Pawan Kalyan’s Janasena Party.
Looking ahead
As the new assembly session begins, all eyes will be on the TDP-led coalition government to see how it navigates the challenges facing the state, particularly economic growth and welfare programs. With Naidu at the helm and Kalyan playing a key role in the government, the session is expected to set the tone for Andhra Pradesh’s political and developmental trajectory in the coming years.
