JOIN USSenior Congress MLA K B Koliwad was today unanimously elected as the 20th Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
Koliwad, a five-time MLA from Ranebennur constituency, had filed his nomination yesterday. He had served as Minister in the past.
Koliwad succeeds Kagodu Thimmappa, who has been inducted into the Ministry as Revenue Minister by Chief Minister Siddaramaih in the recent cabinet rejig.
Siddaramaiah proposed the name of Koliwad while Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra seconded it following which he was elected as Speaker unopposed in a voice vote.
After Deputy Speaker Shivashankar Reddy formally announced Koliwad's election, he was escorted by Siddaramaiah, Opposition Leader Jagadish Shettar and JD(S) leader Y S V Datta to the Chair.
Earlier, as the House met for the day, BJP members entered the Well demanding a probe into the alleged site allocation scam involving Bengaluru Development Authority but later relented after the Deputy Speaker asked them to allow the business of election of Speaker.
Congratulating Koliwad, Siddaramaiah thanked Opposition for its support in electing the Speaker unopposed.
Pointing out that Koliwad and Thimmappa are the senior most members of the House having been first elected in 1972, Siddaramaiah said dignity and the prestige of the House was in the safe hands.
Expressing confidence that Koliwad will be "impartial" as Speaker, Shettar requested him to show extra "affection" towards the opposition side.
Thanking members for electing him as the Speaker, Koliwada said he will perform his duties with at most honesty and integrity.
He also promised to protect the supremacy of the legislature and its dignity.
Stating he will follow the traditions of office of speaker and the House, Koliwad said in order to be impartial he has requested that his membership from Congress and Congress Legislature party to be kept in abeyance.