Jagadish Shettar new Karnataka Assembly Speaker

Bangalore, June 5: Jagadish Shettar finally succumbed to the BJP senior leaders' demand. The dharnas and the so-called bickering within Yeddyurappa's govt all turned out to be false rumours. He was today unanimously elected as speaker of the 13th Karnataka Legislative Assembly by voice vote.

Jagadish Shettar, a senior party leader and a staunch BJP man, won from Hubli-Dharwad Central defeating Congress rival with a thumping majotiry in the Karnataka Assembly elections. Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa who moved a motion, thanked the opposition party leader for ensuring Mr Shetter's unanimous election by not fielding any candidate. The motion was seconded by Minister Revu Nayak Belmagi. Later Mr Mr Yaddyurappa lauded the qualities and service of Mr Shettar.

Congratulating Mr Shettar, Mr Yeddyurappa expressed confidence that the new Speaker would uphold the high tradition of the house while discharging his duties. Terming Mr Shettar as the right choice, he said the new Speaker had rich legal knowledge as well as long experience in legislture being elected for four terms.

"This will help him conduct the business of the house without any problem. By electing Mr Shettar unanimously, the entire house has recognised his talent, non partisan attitude and capability in running the house passionately," he said.

Referring to Mr Shettar's determination to ensure implementation of the Kalasa Bandori drinking water project, which is expected to bring drinking water to vast tracts of Bombay-Karnatak region, Mr Yeddyurappa assured that his government would take all necessary steps to complete it.

In his speech, Opposition leader Mallikarjuna Kharge congratulated Mr Shettar and hoped that he would take everyone to confidence in conducting the transactions of the house.

Reminding that the present House was evenly balanced with almost equal strength between ruling and the opposition, Mr Kharge said this would mean a greater responsibility on the Chair and wished that Mr Shettar would discharge his duties impartially and enhance the reputation of the house.

The Congress leader assured full cooperation to the Chair in running the House.

Janata Dal(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, BJP's K S Eshwarappa, Vishveshwar Hegde Kageri, Basavaraj Bommai and T B Jayachandra of the Congress also spoke on the occasion and congratulated Mr Shettar.

UNI