Row over Karnataka Pro Tem speaker

In another departure from trend, Governor Vajubhai Vala appoints BJP’s KG Bopaiah as Pro Tem speaker. By convention, the Pro Tem speaker is usually the senior most MLA in the

In another departure from trend, Governor Vajubhai Vala appoints BJP’s KG Bopaiah as Pro Tem speaker. By convention, the Pro Tem speaker is usually the senior most MLA in the House.

Even though there are no such eligibility criteria defined by the Constitution, however, a well established tradition is that the senior most MLA in the House has been nominated to swear-in MLAs and conduct a floor test.

Congress’ RV Deshpande is the senior most member in the House and has won elections eight out of the nine times that he has contested.

However, Governor Vajubhai Vala has appointed BJP’s KG Bopaiah, a three time MLA as the Pro Tem speaker. The Congress has objected to the governor’s decision and said that the convention should have been followed.

The BJP backed the appointment stating that KG Bopaiah was appointed as pro term speaker even in 2008 by the then Governor.

Congress’ Randip Surjewala has condemned this appointment saying that KG Boppaiah is corrupt and it is another instance of petty politics played by the BJP and Yeddyurappa.

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