Shimla, Mar 11: Senior Congress leader Gangu Ram Mussafir was today unanimously elected Speaker of Himachal assembly, becoming the first scheduled caste member to occupy the post in the state. Four motions proposing his name were moved in the house. He was declared elected after the motion moved by Chief Minister Virabhadra Singh and seconded by parliamentary affairs minister Kaul Singh Thakur was adopted. The other three motions were moved by Vidya Stokes (Congress), Mohinder Singh (Independent) and former Chief Minister P K Dhumal (BJP) and seconded by Chander Kumar, Subhash Chand and Ravinder Singh respectively.
Since the first motion was adopted, there was no (no)need to put the other motions to vote.
The Chief Minister, leader of the opposition and several other members congratulated the new speaker and assured him of their cooperation.
Dhumal said at times the opposition and new members would need protection of the chair.
Gangu Ram, has been representing Pachhad (reserve) in Sirmaur district since 1982, winning all six elections. Bureau Report