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DF candidate elected dy speaker in Maharashtra

The ruling Democratic Front in Maharashtra today made a convincing show of its strength in the state assembly when its candidate was elected deputy speaker with a margin of 21 votes.

Congress MLA Pramod Shende was elected as deputy speaker. He defeated his nearest rival Anil Gote of the Samajwadi Janata Party (Maharashtra). Shende polled 152, while Gote secured 131 votes. Four ballot papers were found blank.

All but one member of the 288 member House exercised their franchise. One seat in the state assembly has fallen vacant after the death of Congress MLA Marzaban Patrawala.

The election of the deputy speaker had assumed considerable political significance following Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's prediction that the government would fall before the winter session of the assembly came to an end.

UNI

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