Now Reading: G.S. Patil elected Karnataka Speaker; BJP, JD(S) boycott
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G.S. Patil elected Karnataka Speaker; BJP, JD(S) boycott
Congress MLA G.S. Patil was elected Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on August 14. Pro-tem Speaker T.B. Jayachandra declared him elected by a voice vote. The opposition BJP and JD(S) boycotted…
The Story in Brief
Congress MLA G.S. Patil was elected Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on August 14. Pro-tem Speaker T.B. Jayachandra declared him elected by a voice vote. The opposition BJP and JD(S) boycotted the election.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka said the boycott was to protest the Congress high command naming the Speaker on its party letterhead, which he called unconstitutional. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar countered that the letter only named the party's nominee, not the Speaker, and urged the opposition to participate. Congress MLC Saleem Ahmed was elected Chairperson of the Legislative Council.
The Indian Opinion
The opposition’s charge that naming a Speaker nominee on a party letterhead is unconstitutional stretches the point. Party letters are internal; the election itself was conducted in the House. Still, the ruling Congress could have avoided giving the opposition a talking point. The real test for Speaker Patil, from a prominent political family, is whether he will run the House impartially. Will the opposition now extend genuine cooperation or continue to look for reasons to stay away?
Sources (3): thehindu.com, newindianexpress.com, thefederal.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
