Karnataka floor test: Congress to move SC over Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker

Congress to move Supreme Court over the appointment of K G Bopaiah as pro tem Speaker on Friday. The Congress has objected to this move by Governor Vajubahi Vala. The Congress said that the senior most member of the House should hold this post.

Abhishek Manu Singhvi, said, "What the BJP has done is against the rule book. Ideally the senior most leader is supposed to hold that position. "

Earlier, the senior most leader in the house, RV 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," he added.

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar responded by saying, "KG Bopaiah was appointed as Pro Tem speaker even in 2008 by the then Governor. That time Bopaiah was 10 years younger than what he is today. Congress is thus raising hoax objection. The appointment of Bopaiah Ji is as per rules and regulations."

Bhopaiah was the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from 2009 to 2013. He is a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Congress had proposed the name of R V Deshpande, an 8 time MLA from Haliyal constituency.

It may be recalled that 11 disgruntled MLAs of the ruling BJP along with some independent MLAs revolted against the leadership of BS Yeddyurappa and submitted a letter to the Governor withdrawing their support to the BJP Government. In a controversial move, Speaker Bopaiah disqualified the rebel MLAs and thus played a major role in the survival of the BJP Government in Karnataka in October 2011.