"I have not received any intimation from Governor," says Deshpande

Senior most member of Karnataka Assembly RV Deshpande said that he hasn't received any intimation from the Governor regarding the appointment of Protem Speaker of the assembly. Congress MLA from Haliyal constituency RV Deshpande's name has been doing rounds as the Protem Speaker in the hung assembly.

Deshpande told a private channel, "I have not received any intimation from the Governor. Generally, the senior most member is appointed as Pro tem speaker."

"I expect everyone will abide by the Supreme Court order. House proceedings should be followed with decency. A Pro tem speaker should be impartial," he said. "The role that the Governor played was very unfortunate," Deshpande added.

A protege of former Karnataka CM Ramakrishna Hegde, Deshpande is also one of the richest politicians in the state. Deshpande joined the Congress after the breaking away of Janata Dal in 1999.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Umesh Katti's name also doing rounds for the post of Protem Speaker. However, RV Deshpande is senior to BJP leader Umesh Katti.

The longest-serving member of the House will be nominated as pro-tem (short-term) speaker, whose role is limited to administering the oath to all the newly elected MLAs and conducting the election of full-time speaker.