Bengaluru: As senior leaders declined to accept the post of Speaker in the newly formed Congress government in Karnataka, paving the way for U.T. Khader, MLA from Mangaluru, to be nominated for the post.
Reports suggest that senior leaders, including R.V. Deshapande, T.B. Jayachandra, and H.K. Patil were approached by the party leadership requesting to take up the task, which they have reportedly declined, expressing their preference to remain as MLAs.
Sources indicate that Khader is expected to submit his nomination papers on Tuesday, as the deadline for submission of nomination papers ends at 12 p.m. on that day. The House is scheduled to elect the Speaker on May 24, and Khader is likely to be elected unanimously, following the established traditions.
Khader, a soft-spoken politician, has been elected five times from the Mangaluru (Ullal) constituency. He previously served as the Minister for Health and Food Supply in the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah in 2013. Additionally, he held the position of deputy leader of the Opposition party in the state Assembly.
In an effort to convince Khader, AICC Secretary K.C. Venugopal and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala personally approached him, requesting him to accept the post in the interest of the party. They assured him that the party would duly recognize his contributions.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also spoke to Khader and managed to persuade him. Despite hailing from the communally sensitive Dakshina Kannada region, Khader has refrained from making provocative statements or engaging in hate speech. He has gained the confidence of people from all walks of life, transcending religious boundaries.