Let us uphold dignity of the House, says Ramesh Kumar

The newly elected speaker of Karnataka Assembly Ramesh Kumar on Friday urged the legislators to uphold democracy and parliamentary history.

"I am touched by the words of the MLAs. I will try to keep up the trust you have reposed in me. You must always remember that you have been chosen as representatives of the people under the Representation of People's Act.

"Democracy has not come in one day or easily. A lot of people have lost their lives to ensure that we have democracy. This is my second term as Speaker. When I was chosen as Speaker first, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda said that though I wanted a Minister's post, he said there was no one who he trusted more for the Speaker's post."

"We all have to learn from each other. The people outside are watching us. Let them not feel ashamed or embarrassed by our acts inside the House."

Ramesh Kumar was the Speaker of the House from 1994 to 1999. He will conduct the floor test where Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy will face later today to prove his majority in the house.

The Congress has 78 MLAs, Kumaraswamy's JD(S) 36, and BSP 1. The alliance has also claimed support of the lone KPJP MLA and an independent. Kumaraswamy had won from two seats.