Hyderabad: Former minister and Secunderabad TRS MLA Padmarao Goud has been elected as Deputy Speaker unanimously. Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has expressed happiness and appreciated him for his contribution to Telangana movement.

Speaking in the Assembly, KCR said: “Goud was instrumental in making TRS’ first public meeting in parade grounds a huge success in early days of Telangana movement. Tax on taddy palm trees was abolished during his term as excise minister in Telangana. Since 2001, Goud spearheaded separate statehood movement in twin-cities.”

The last date for filing nomination for Deputy Speaker election was concluded on last Saturday. Since only application was filed for the post, Padma Rao Goud has been declared unanimously as Deputy Speaker.

Before joining TRS, Goud was MCH corporator for two terms. Goud joined TRS in 2001 and won as MLA from Secunderabad constituency in 2004 elections. Later in 2009, Goud lost to Marri Shashidhar Reddy in Sanathnagar constituency. Again, Goud won in Secunderabad constituency in 2014 elections. He held portfolio of excise, abkari, sports and youth affairs minister. Goud retained his Secunderabad constituency in Assembly elections held in December 2018.

Congress Deputy Legislative Floor Leader Bhatti Vikramarka said that Congress supported TRS for Deputy Speaker election. When he was Deputy Speaker, he faced elections as the opposition party didn’t cooperate as Congress did now. Deputy Speaker position is a very important and several leaders held this position. For instance, KCR was also Deputy Speaker during TDP regime.”