CM takes oath as MLC, to quit LS today

Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Tuesday took oath as a member of the  Legislative Council, a week after he won the bypoll to the Upper House of the State legislature.

With this, in a way he has asserted that he will continue as the chief minister.

Council Chairman D H Shankaramurthy administered the oath of office to Gowda at the former’s chamber in Vidhana Soudha. Gowda’s term will conclude in June 2014. 

Gowda is the first chief minister of the state to be elected from the Upper House of the legislature. He will now replace Higher Education Minister V S Acharya as the leader of the Upper House. Gowda, in case unwilling to be the leader of the House as his presence will be required in both the Houses of the legislature, he can choose any of the ministers who is an MLC as his replacement.

Gowda told reporters that he will submit his resignation from the Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha seat.

When Gowda resigns as MP, there will be by-election to the Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha seat. His term would have concluded in 2014.