Eight-time MLA and senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan was elected Speaker of the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly with overwhelming support.
May 22, 2026: Veteran Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan was on Friday elected Speaker of the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly. The 76-year-old leader, who is the senior-most Congress MLA in the current Assembly, secured 101 votes in the election. CPI(M) leader AC Moideen received 35 votes, while BJP MLA BB Gopakumar secured three votes.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front’s strength in the 140-member Assembly ensured a comfortable victory for Radhakrishnan. Following the election, he was escorted to the Speaker’s chair by Chief Minister VD Satheesan and Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan in line with Assembly traditions. Satheesan praised Radhakrishnan’s long legislative career and described him as a role model for effective constituency representation.
Pinarayi Vijayan expressed hope that the new Speaker would provide equal opportunity to the opposition within the Assembly. Radhakrishnan has represented both Adoor and Kottayam constituencies during his political career and has served as a minister in previous United Democratic Front governments, handling departments including home, vigilance, revenue, forest and health.