BJP's Suresh Kumar withdraws nomination for Speaker's post

BJP leader and four-term MLA Suresh Kumar on Friday withdrew his nomination papers for the post of Speaker in the Legislative Assembly.

Suresh Kumar has tweeted saying he has withdrawn his nomination paper for the unanimous election of the Speaker, in keeping with the "legislature tradition".

The Congress and JD(S) had unanimously chosen Ramesh Kumar as their candidate for the Speaker's post. Kumar has served as Speaker between 1994-99.

Addressing the newly-elected Speaker BS Yeddyurappa said: "The Opposition will extend all their cooperation towards you. We decided to withdraw S Suresh Kumar's candidature and thought it would be better to have a unanimous candidate."

After the election of the Speaker, the crucial floor test will take place, when Chief Minister H D Kumaraswmay will seek vote of confidence.

Kumaraswamy and his deputy - Congress' G Parameshwara were sworn-in yesterday at a ceremony that turned into a grand spectacle of unity by leaders of regional parties of various hues, signalling emergence of an anti-BJP bloc for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

BJP, which emerged as the single largest party with 104 seats in the May 12 polls does not have the numbers to get its candidate elected as it is pitted against the newly formed alliance with a combined strength of 117 MLAs.