<div>The state legislature session is scheduled to commence on Monday amidst upheaval in three major political parties of the Congress, the BJP and the JD(S). <br /><br />Discontent has continued in the ruling party over the recent reshuffle of the council of ministers. Though Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has managed to pacify many of the disgruntled legislators, senior leaders, V Srinivas Prasad and M H Ambareesh, who were dropped from the Cabinet, are still sulking. Prasad has gone a step ahead and has demanded leadership change in the state.<br /><br />A section of leaders in the opposition BJP has revolted against the appointment of new office-bearers and district presidents by state president B S Yeddyurappa, while the JD(S) is facing rebellion from MLAs who openly voted in favour of the Congress in the recent Rajya Sabha polls.<br /><br />Nevertheless, the BJP and the JD(S) are planning to corner the ruling party by raising controversies such as involvement of Public Works Minister H C Mahadevappa’s son in illegal sand mining, reported involvement of Textiles Minister Rudrappa Lamani in the encroachment of 85 acres of forest land in Haveri, resignation of former police officer Anupama Shenoy and irregularities in setting up water-testing laboratories in the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) department.<br /><br />Speaker’s election <br />Besides, the Assembly is scheduled to elect a new Speaker. The ruling party has zeroed in on senior legislator from Ranebennur K B Koliwad for the post of Speaker. Koliwad is scheduled to file nomination papers on Monday and the election is scheduled for Tuesday. But, official sources said, Koliwad is likely to be elected unopposed. The Speaker’s post fell vacant after Kagodu Thimmappa was inducted into the Cabinet recently.<br /><br />The ruling party has issued a whip to all its MLAs for the Speaker’s election. Besides, the Congress plans to move a no-confidence motion against Legislative Council chairman D H Shankaramuthy. <br /><br />The ruling party’s numerical strength recently went up to 36 in the 75-member upper house. The BJP has 24 members and the JD(S) 12. <br /><br />The ruling party wants to secure the chairman’s post so that it can ensure smooth passage of bills. The session is scheduled to be held till July 29.<br /></div>
<div>The state legislature session is scheduled to commence on Monday amidst upheaval in three major political parties of the Congress, the BJP and the JD(S). <br /><br />Discontent has continued in the ruling party over the recent reshuffle of the council of ministers. Though Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has managed to pacify many of the disgruntled legislators, senior leaders, V Srinivas Prasad and M H Ambareesh, who were dropped from the Cabinet, are still sulking. Prasad has gone a step ahead and has demanded leadership change in the state.<br /><br />A section of leaders in the opposition BJP has revolted against the appointment of new office-bearers and district presidents by state president B S Yeddyurappa, while the JD(S) is facing rebellion from MLAs who openly voted in favour of the Congress in the recent Rajya Sabha polls.<br /><br />Nevertheless, the BJP and the JD(S) are planning to corner the ruling party by raising controversies such as involvement of Public Works Minister H C Mahadevappa’s son in illegal sand mining, reported involvement of Textiles Minister Rudrappa Lamani in the encroachment of 85 acres of forest land in Haveri, resignation of former police officer Anupama Shenoy and irregularities in setting up water-testing laboratories in the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) department.<br /><br />Speaker’s election <br />Besides, the Assembly is scheduled to elect a new Speaker. The ruling party has zeroed in on senior legislator from Ranebennur K B Koliwad for the post of Speaker. Koliwad is scheduled to file nomination papers on Monday and the election is scheduled for Tuesday. But, official sources said, Koliwad is likely to be elected unopposed. The Speaker’s post fell vacant after Kagodu Thimmappa was inducted into the Cabinet recently.<br /><br />The ruling party has issued a whip to all its MLAs for the Speaker’s election. Besides, the Congress plans to move a no-confidence motion against Legislative Council chairman D H Shankaramuthy. <br /><br />The ruling party’s numerical strength recently went up to 36 in the 75-member upper house. The BJP has 24 members and the JD(S) 12. <br /><br />The ruling party wants to secure the chairman’s post so that it can ensure smooth passage of bills. The session is scheduled to be held till July 29.<br /></div>
