Prof B K Chandrasekhar elected as Legislative Council Chairman

Bangalore, Apr 5 (UNI) Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka Minister Prof B K Chandrashekar was today unanimously elected as the Legislative Council Chairman.

As soon as the House assembled, the officiating Chairman Mr Sachidananda Khot informed that Prof Chandrasekhar was the only candidate who filed nomination and the four set of nomination papers were found in order.

The Opposition leader H K Patil, K P Kondaiah, V R Sudarshan, Saleem Ahmed (all Congress) proposed the name of Prof Chandrashekar while A M Hindasageri, Smt Motamma and Veeranna Mathikatti seconded.

Mr Khot who put the motion to vote declared that the Congress candidate Prof Chandrashekar has secured 37 votes in the 75 member House.

The Coalition partners BJP and JD(S) did not field candidate.

Immediately after the elections Prof Chandrashekar met all the members and sought their cooperation in conducting the business smoothly.

Minister for Higher Education D S Shankaramoorthy, who is also Floor Leader and Congress Chief Whip Saleem Ahmed escorted Prof Chandrashekar to the Chair.

Prof B K Chandrashekar (61), who has served as Minister for Primary Education in the S M Krishna government, was elected to the Council from the Lower House in June 2002 and would retire next year.

Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, Mr Shankaramoorthy, Mr Patil and others congratulated Prof Chandrashekar and assured their cooperation to smooth conduct the house.

UNI