The Karnataka State Legislative Council, which has been referred to as the House of Elders, has completed 100 years of its existence. It took birth in the name of Representative Council (Praja Prathinidhi Parishat) on July 24, 1907 during Mysore Wadiyar rule. Karnataka Legislative Council is the first House in the country to complete 100 years.

The then Dewan of the samsthan was acting president of the council. In the early days those who paid higher tax was appointed member of the Council. However, later it was converted into House of intellectuals comprising experts from various fields. After the independence, the House continued as Legislative Council. It comprises 75 members, including members from Legislative Assembly, graduates constituencies, teachers constituency, local authorities and nominated.

Council Chairman Prof B K Chandrashekhar addressing a press conference in Bangalore on Monday, said the Governor T N Chaturvedi will address the joint session of the legislature on Tuesday to mark the occasion. Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly N Dharam Singh, JD (U) leader J C Madhuswamy, Kannada Vatal Paksha leader Vatal Nagaraj, CPM leader G V Srirama Reddy and RPI leader Rajendra will be guests.

In addition, former chairpersons of the council Ms Basavarajeshwari, D Manjunath, K Rehman Khan, R B Poddar, B L Shankar, V R Sudarshan and former speaker M V Venkatappa are special invitees.

Prime minister’s visit
Prof Chandrashekhar said the State government will hold a function to mark the centenary celebrations of the Council on August 3, which will be attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

CM to miss?
One VIP, who is going to miss the Legislature Council’s centenary celebrations on Tuesday, is Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

While the itinery released by Prof B K Chandrashekhar says that the CM will address the House, a communique from the CM’s secretariat says that he is leaving for New Delhi on Tuesday morning. According to the communique he will take part in the swearing-in ceremony of the new President of India on Wednesday.