Shettar falls in line, files nomination papers for Speaker’s post in Karnataka

Falling in line with the party’s decision, former Minister and senior BJP leader Jagadish Shettar yesterday filed the nomination papers for the post of Karnataka Legislative Assembly speaker.

Shettar, who had raised a banner of revolt after his exclusion from the B S Yeddyurappa-led Cabinet, told reporters that he is convinced about the importance of the post of Assembly speaker.

After filing his nomination papers for the post of Karnataka Legislative Assembly speaker yesterday, Shettar denied that he was under compulsion from the party’s national leadership in the regard. “I have made my own decision. I have understood the responsibility the post of speaker carries”, he said.

Shettar, a prominent BJP leader from North Karnataka region, had earlier rejected the post of Speaker after the party kept him out of the Ministry. Even as his supporters went on a rampage in different parts of the state for denial of Ministerial berth to their leader, Shettar struck a defiant posture declaring that he prefer to remain an MLA rather than become a speaker.

However, the party’s national leadership summoned him to New Delhi on Monday, held discussions with him and managed to convince him to accept the post of speaker.

Speaking to reporters after Shettar filed his nomination papers soon after the three-day special legislature session began yesterday, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa expressed confidence that his party candidate will win the post of Speaker during the election scheduled to be held on Thursday. The Opposition Congress and JD (S) had not fielded their candidates for the post of Speaker.

The BJP, which won 110 seats and is supported by six independent MLAs, enjoys a fragile majority in the 224 member House with Congress and JD (S) having 80 and 28 seats respectively.

Meanwhile, pro-tem speaker K G Bopaiah administered the oath of office to all the 224 newly elected MLAs to the Karnataka Assembly yesterday on the opening day of the three-day special session.