India, May 22 -- Veteran Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan was on Friday elected Speaker of the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly. Radhakrishnan, 76, is an eight-time MLA and the senior-most Congress legislator in the current Assembly.

In the election to the Speaker's post, Radhakrishnan secured 101 votes, while CPI(M) leader AC Moideen received 35 and BJP MLA BB Gopakumar got three votes. The Congress-led United Democratic Front's numerical strength of 102 in the 140-member House had made Radhakrishnan's election a foregone conclusion. Pro tem Speaker G Sudhakaran, who presided over the proceedings, did not vote.

Following his election, Radhakrishnan was escorted to the Speaker's chair by chief minister VD Satheesan and leader...