Who among the following was the first non-official member to be elected as Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly on 24-8-1925 ?

Vithalbhai J. Patel became the first non-official member and the first Indian to be elected as the President (Speaker) of the Central Legislative Assembly on August 24, 1925 [2]. Under the Government of India Act of 1919, the presiding officer was initially an appointed official, such as Sir Frederick Whyte. However, in 1925, Patel, a prominent Swarajist leader, won a competitive election against T. Rangachariar by a narrow margin of two votes [2]. Although the Government of India Act of 1935 later changed the nomenclature from 'President' to 'Speaker', the old title continued in practice until 1947 [1]. Patel's election was a landmark event in India's parliamentary history, symbolizing the growing influence of nationalist leaders within colonial legislative structures. Other options like G.V. Mavalankar served as the first Speaker of the post-independence Lok Sabha.

Sources

1. [1] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha > p. 232
2. [2] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 37: First General Elections > 634 ✫ A Brief History of Modern India > p. 634