First child of the late I.Tompok walks his way to Speaker's chair
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 23 2010: Following the withdrawal of nomination papers by MLA L Nandakumar, Irengbam Hemochandra has been unanimously elected to the post of Speaker un-opposed.

Deputy Speaker and Speaker in-charge, Th Lokeshore issued a formal declaration in this regard in the State Assembly this morning.

Just as the voting was being initiated with the Deputy Speaker in the chair at 10 am today, L Nandakumar announced that he was withdrawing the notice of motion related to his candidature for the post of Deputy Speaker.

Then Nandakumar's proposer Health and Family Welfare Minister Ph Parijat followed suit.

Unanimous choice

He stated that he was no longer making any proposal as MLA Nandakumar has withdrawn his own notice of motion.

There were 17 motions in favour of I Hemochandra from both ruling and Opposition MLAs as against a single notice of motion submitted in favour of L Nandakumar.

Soon after Deputy Speaker Lokeshore formally announced the election of I Hemochandra as Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Chief Minister O Ibobi who is also House leader and Opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam escorted Hemochandra to the Speaker's chair.

For unanimously electing young Hemochandra as Speaker, the Chief Minister conveyed gratitude to all the House Members.

Hemochandra is around 45 years old.

He also exuded that the new Speaker would discharge his duty without any discrimination between treasury bench and opposition bench while debating any issue in the House.

The Chief Minister expressed his hope that the young Speaker would act as an impartial judge in the interest of the people.

"As for me, there is no distinction between ruling and opposition.

If it is for welfare of the State, I would welcome any suggestion from opposition Members too", the Chief Minister stated.

Congratulating Hemochandra on behalf of opposition parties and NCP, opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam expressed confidence that the new Speaker would protect dignity and decorum of the House.

MLA O Joy stated that he has faith in the new Speaker that he would take a more proactive role in strengthening democracy in Manipur in view of the prevailing political conflict and the presence of undemocratic forces.

On his election as Speaker, I Hemochandra was also congratulated by V Hangkhalian, N Mangi, M Hemanta, Hellaludin Khan, Govindas Konthoujam, Dr I Ibohalbi, RK Anand, E Suraj, Th Shyamkumar and Dr Kh Ratan.

On his part, Hemochandra conveyed his gratitude to all the House Members for unanimously electing him Speaker.

He also sought cooperation from all Members in enhancing dignity of the House as well as in keeping the faith reposed in him.

I Know Your New SpeakerTompok, arguably one the most colourful and flamboyant political figures the State has seen so far, Irengbam Hemochandra has been a permanent fixture in the State Assemnly when he was elected from Singjamei Assembly Constituency for the first time in 1991 .

Hemochandra plunged into politics in 1991 after finishing his Masters in History from St Stephen's College, Delhi University.

A brief outline of his political career is given hereby
1) Elected for the first time to the 5th Assembly in 1991
2) President, Youth Congress, Manipur in 1993
3) Minister of State for Education in 1994
4) Elected for the 2nd time to the 6th Assembly, 1995
5) Deputy Speaker of Assembly in 1995
6) Minister of Urban Development 1995 to 2000
7 ) Elected for 3rd time to the 8th Assembly
8) Chairman (COPU), Chairman (PAC), Chairman (Petitions), Chairman (Delegated Legislation) in the State Assembly
9) Elected for fourth time in 2007
10) Chairman (Privilege and Ethics) .

Hemochandra has travelled widely in different official capacities.

Some of the countries he has visited include, USA, Canada, UK, Netherlands, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Singapore, UAE.