Punnaiah Is Pro Tem Council Chairman

In accordance with the Article 182 of the Indian Constitution, Governor E S L Narasimhan on Wednesday appointed Singam Basava Punnaiah, a member of the Legislative Council, as the pro tem Chairman of the Council with effect from March 30th. Punnaiah's term will continue until the appointment of a permanent Chairman.

According to a press statement, the Governor has exercised the powers conferred by Clause (1) of Article 184 of the Indian Constitution in appointing the pro tem Chairman.

Secretary of the state legislature had issued a notification in this regard in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette on March 30th.

The Governor is said to have taken this decision as both Chairman A Chakrapani's and Deputy Chairman Mohammad Jani's terms had ended on March 29th.

However, Mohammad Jani was re-elected in the recent Council elections, and the Governor is allegedly planning to re-nominate Dr. Chakrapani.