Three-time BJP MLA from Changlang North constituency, Tesam Pongte was on Saturday elected unanimously as the Speaker of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
The moment after the House assembled for the second and last day’s business, Pro-tem Speaker Ninong Ering announced Tesam Pongte to have been elected unopposed as the Speaker of the 8th Legislative Assembly of Arunachal Pradesh as there was no other nomination received from either party for the post.
Pongte’s name for the Speaker’s post was proposed by Chau Zingnu Namchoom and seconded by Hayeng Mangfi.
Congratulating Pongte on being elected as new Speaker and inviting him to assume the charge, Ering said, “I hope that he will prove it right his election to this prestigious chair.”
After assuming the chair, an immensely grateful Pongte, 49, expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister, Council of Ministers and all members of the House for unanimously electing him for the coveted post.
The new Speaker assured that he will do his best to uphold the dignity of the chair and the democratic traditions. He also said that he belongs to each and every member and will do justice with all in the House.
Pongte further stated that the office of the Speaker will always be guided by the rules of procedures and conduct of business of the House, and the best parliamentary convention and tradition.
Congratulating Pongte on the occasion, Leader of the House and Chief Minister Pema Khandu assured all support from the Government to the Speaker for smooth conduct of the house and exuded hope that the Assembly will have healthy discussions in the days to come.
Extending his warm felicitations to Pongte, Deputy CM Chowna Mein expressed confidence that the Legislative Assembly will flourish and uphold its role as one of the beacons of democracy in the State.
Congratulating his previous Deputy Pongte, newly sworn-in Minister and former Speaker Pasang Dorjee Sona said, “Your commitment and leadership have always been commendable, and I am confident you will thrive in this new position.” Extending his best wishes for his success “in leading the Assembly with wisdom and integrity”, Sona said he will definitely give equal opportunity to all members cutting across political parties to participate in debates.
A native of Yankang village under Yatdam circle in Changlang district, Pongte, who belongs to Tutsa tribe, entered the electoral politics in 2014 and emerged victorious fighting the Assembly polls on a BJP ticket from the Changlang North seat. Since then, there was no back down. In 2019, he was elected Deputy Speaker of the 7th State Legislative Assembly.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Likabali, Kardo Nyigyor has been elected unopposed as Deputy Speaker of State Legislative Assembly. The members of the House including CM Khandu extended heartiest congratulations to Nyigyor on being elected as the Deputy Speaker.
A three-time MLA from Likabali, 50-year-old Nyigyor, who hails from Ditten village in Lower Siang district, started his political career as an Anchal Samity Member from Sibe/Ditten/Ossumpuri Gram Panchayat in 2008 and became the Chairperson, Gensi Anchal Samiti.
In 2013 Panchayat polls, he was elected as Zilla Parishad Member from Gensi and held the post till 2017 before entering the Assembly the same year by winning the Likabali bye-election. He then consecutively won the 2019 and 2024 polls.
