Congress member Shanimol Osman has been elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Kerala Assembly, making her the first woman from the party to hold this position in 66 years. This historic moment also marks only the fourth time in the state’s legislative history that a woman has been appointed to this role. Osman secured victory over CPI nominee Muhammed Muhassin with a significant majority of 99 votes to 34, reflecting the Congress-led United Democratic Front’s dominance in the 140-member House.
Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan officially declared Osman’s election following a formal vote in the Assembly. With the UDF currently commanding 102 members in the Assembly, Osman’s election underscores a significant milestone in Kerala’s political landscape.
Osman, a two-time legislator representing the Aroor constituency, takes on this new role at the age of 60, after a challenging political journey that included multiple electoral battles. Known for her calm demeanor, she is recognized as a seasoned Congress leader who has contested in six elections, with her recent victory in the 2026 Assembly polls. Osman’s election revives a dormant chapter in Kerala’s legislative history, bringing a woman back to the Deputy Speaker’s chair after nearly four decades.
