Speaker AN Shamseer | Screengrab: YouTube/Niyamasabha TV
Thiruvananthapuram: It is unfortunate that I have to read out the obituary of Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on the first day in the new role, said speaker AN Shamseer ahead of the seventh session of the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly.
CPM leader Kodiyeri, who passed away on October 1, was the political patron of Shamseer, who represents the Thalassery constituency in the assembly. Kodiyeri represented the constituency five times, from 1981-2016.
While reading the obituary in the assembly, Shamseer said Kodiyeri was active in providing help to the Muslim community during the Thalassery riots in 1971. He was subjected to police torture multiple times, including during the national emergency, the speaker said.
Shamseer also remembered former members NM Joseph, K Muhammadali, Aryadan Muhammad, Punalur Madhu and Venganoor P Bashkaran, who passed away after the Assembly convened last time. Members stood up for a minute to pay respects to them.
Shamseer, before commencing the session, said he was lucky to take up this new role. He was elected as speaker after CPM decided to induct former speaker MB Rajesh into the cabinet. This is the first session of the Assembly under Shamseer's speakership.
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