CPM's M B Rajesh was declared elected as Speaker of the15th Kerala Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
M B Rajesh, legislator from thirthala constituency in Palakkad defeated UDF's Kundara MLA PC Vishwanath in the elections held in the house by winning 96 votes. Mr. Vishnunath got 40 votes.
Of the 140 seats in the Legislative assembly LDF has 99 legislators while UDF had 41 legislators.
Pro-tem speaker P T A Rahim did not caste his vote and three other MLAs could not take part in the election due to ill-health.
Mr. Rajesh, who is an advocate by profession, was a Member of Parliament for two consecutive terms representing Palakkad. He did his graduation in Law from the University of Kerala and M.A in Economics from the NSS College, Ottapalam.
The 50 year old, who is currently a member of the CPM state committee is elected to the Assembly for the first time. He will be Kerala's 23rd Assembly Speaker.