Raja Singh sworn in as MLA in presence of Telangana Speaker Reddy

Telangana BJP MLA-elect T Raja Singh, who refused to be sworn-in in the presence of pro tem Speaker Mumtaz Ahmad Khan of the AIMIM, Saturday did so in the chamber of Speaker Pocharam Srinivasa Reddy. "Pocharam Srinivas Reddy ji (Speaker) gave me time today. (He) gave me an opportunity. I have gone to his chamber and took the oath (as MLA)," Singh told reporters.

Raja Singh, MLA from Goshamahal in Hyderabad, had earlier refused to take oath in the presence of Khan as his party AIMIM "speaks against Hindus" and its leaders do not say ' Bharat Mata ki Jai." He is the only BJP MLA in the newly-elected 119-member Telangana Legislative Assembly. Reddy was unanimously elected Speaker on Friday.

The Assembly's inaugural session began on January 17 with Khan functioning as pro tem speaker. The ruling TRS had returned to power in December 7 assembly elections with a massive majority, winning 88 seats of the total 119.