NDA nominates Habbey Teron as Assam's deputy speaker candidate

The NDA has nominated BJP MLA Dr. Habbey Teron as its candidate for the post of deputy speaker in the Assam Legislative Assembly. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision, highlighting Teron’s background as a medical professional and his representation of the Amri (ST) Hills constituency in West Karbi Anglong district.

Dr. Teron is the first-ever MLA elected from the newly-created Amri assembly segment. Speaking about the nomination, CM Sarma said on social media, “A medical professional by training and the first elected representative from the newly created Amri constituency, Dr. Teron represents the aspirations of our tribal communities.”

The election for the deputy speaker’s post is expected to take place during the assembly’s budget session, which begins on July 6. The position has been vacant since the 16th legislative assembly was formed. In the first session of the new House in May, BJP leader Ranjeet Kumar Dass was elected as the speaker, but the deputy speaker’s role has remained unfilled.

The BJP-led NDA coalition secured a third consecutive term in Assam after winning 102 out of 126 seats in the 2021 assembly elections. Dr. Teron’s nomination is seen as a move to strengthen the representation of tribal communities in the state’s leadership. If elected, he will play a key role in assisting the speaker in managing assembly proceedings.