Who is a Pro-tem Speaker, and why is the role crucial for a new Assembly?

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A presumption    of Fort St. George, the spot   of the Tamil Nadu State Legislative Assembly successful  Chennai. Karuppaiah M.V. (inset) was sworn successful  arsenic  Pro Tem Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar astatine  the Lok Bhavan connected  May 10, 2026.

A presumption of Fort St. George, the spot of the Tamil Nadu State Legislative Assembly successful Chennai. Karuppaiah M.V. (inset) was sworn successful arsenic Pro Tem Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar astatine the Lok Bhavan connected May 10, 2026. | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

Tamil Nadu got a caller Pro-tem talker connected May 10, 2026. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam MLA Karuppiah M.V. was sworn successful arsenic the Pro-tem Speaker by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. This came soon aft the swearing-in of C. Joseph Vijay arsenic the Chief Minister of the State astatine Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium. The elections for the imperishable Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly volition beryllium held connected May 12.

But who is simply a Pro-tem Speaker, and however and wherefore are they appointed?

Who is simply a Pro-tem Speaker?

A Pro-tem (“for the clip being”) Speaker is simply a impermanent presiding serviceman appointed to fulfil circumstantial law and procedural requirements during the modulation betwixt 2 legislative assemblies. 

Why is simply a Pro-tem Speaker appointed?

They are appointed for 2 superior reasons: 

Oath-administration: To administer the oath of bureau to each recently elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) truthful that they tin legally enactment successful the House proceedings. 

Conducting elections: To preside implicit the matters of the House until a imperishable Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected by the members.

How is simply a Pro-tem Speaker appointed?

The senior-most subordinate of the House (usually by fig of presumption served) is chosen for the role. This is not a ineligible rule, and the authorities whitethorn urge different members, too.

The Governor of the State appoints the Pro-tem Speaker and administers the oath of bureau to them. The duration of the work is highly short, and it ceases to beryllium the infinitesimal a imperishable Speaker for the House is elected. 

Difference betwixt the Lok Sabha and the State Assembly’s Pro-tem Speaker

The roles and responsibilities of the impermanent Speaker stay the aforesaid successful the State Legislative Assemblies and the Lok Sabha. They are some transitional office-holders who preside implicit oath medication to MLAs and the predetermination of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House.

The cardinal quality is that the President of India administers the oath for the Pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha, portion the oath for the Pro-tem Speaker of the Legislative Assemblies is administered by the Governor. 

Notable Pro-tem Speakers successful the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly

  • Karuppiah M.V: He was appointed connected May 11, 2026 and presided implicit the archetypal league of the 17th State Assembly. He administered the oath to CM Vijay and Opposition person Udhayanidhi Stalin..
  • K. Pitchandi: Mr. Pitchandi, a DMK veteran, was appointed aft the 2021 Assembly Elections, marking the DMK’s instrumentality to powerfulness aft a decade. 
  • S. Semmalai: Mr. Semmalai’s assignment successful 2016 was important arsenic it marked a 2nd consecutive word for J. Jayalalithaa successful Tamil Nadu.

Published - May 11, 2026 02:07 p.m. IST

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