Fri Nov 15 00:54:11 UTC 2024: ## TDP Legislator Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Elected Deputy Speaker of Andhra Pradesh Assembly

**VIJAYAWADA, November 15, 2024** – K. Raghu Ramakrishna Raju, a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) legislator from Undi constituency, was unanimously elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Thursday. His candidature was endorsed by Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, IT Minister N. Lokesh, and Visakhapatnam North MLA P. Vishnu Kumar Raju.

Following the Zero Hour, Speaker Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu announced Mr. Ramakrishna Raju’s election. In line with tradition, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Mr. Pawan Kalyan escorted the newly elected Deputy Speaker to the Speaker’s podium, congratulating him on his appointment.

Mr. Naidu highlighted the challenges Mr. Ramakrishna Raju faced as a YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MP, including imprisonment and alleged torture at the behest of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for his outspoken criticism of the YSRCP government’s policies, particularly the decision to have three capitals. Mr. Naidu further emphasized that a sedition case was filed against Mr. Ramakrishna Raju for expressing the public sentiment on the capital issue, and he was severely beaten in police custody.

“It is unfortunate that he came out alive only due to court intervention,” Mr. Naidu said, acknowledging Mr. Ramakrishna Raju’s background as a political family member and successful entrepreneur. “I wish him all success as the Deputy Speaker and am confident that he will emerge as a role model for others.”

The ceremony was witnessed by Speaker Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, Ministers K. Atchannaidu and Y. Satya Kumar, and MLA P. Vishnu Kumar Raju. Mr. Ramakrishna Raju has now taken the reins of the Deputy Speaker position.

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