The Congress party has selected former Karnataka Minister and Mangaluru MLA UT Khader as their nominee for the post of Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. This decision came after intense deliberations and consultations with party leaders, who made a last-minute decision to nominate Khader for the significant role.
The speculations surrounding the contenders for the Speaker post included prominent names such as RV Deshpande, TB Jayachandra, and HK Patil.
State Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala and National General Secretary KC Venugopal reportedly reached out to UT Khader on Monday to discuss the nomination. After thorough deliberations, Khader was informed that he had been selected as the party’s candidate for the Speaker’s position. The decision is believed to have been influenced by Rahul Gandhi’s insistence on allocating important positions to individuals from minority communities.
Following the announcement, Khader held discussions with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, as well as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. These discussions aimed to garner support for Khader’s candidacy and ensure a unified front within the party.
Today, UT Khader formally submitted his nomination papers for the Speaker’s post at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. The nomination papers were signed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, solidifying their endorsement of Khader’s candidacy. Furthermore, sources indicate that the Congress party has assured Khader of a ministerial position during the upcoming cabinet reshuffle scheduled to take place in two years’ time.
UT Khader’s nomination as the Speaker candidate has brought new dynamics to the political landscape in Karnataka. As the former minister gears up for this crucial role, all eyes are now on the upcoming proceedings and the subsequent election for the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.