In what can be described as a loss of face for the Congress, Janata Dal (Secular) member Marithibbe Gowda — a consensus candidate of the JD(S) and the BJP — got elected as Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council on Saturday.
He defeated Congress candidate R. Dharmasena by a huge margin. While Mr. Marithibbe Gowda secured 42 votes, Mr. Dharmasena got only 29.
The Congress couldn’t even get support of all its members as K. Govindaraj and M.R. Seetharam were absent.
Though Mr. Marithibbe Gowda’s victory was a foregone conclusion, considering the combined strength of the BJP and JD(S), the Congress tried to exploit perceived discontentment between them and fielded Mr. Dharmasena in the last minute.
The effort turned futile.
When Leader of Opposition K.S. Eshwarappa lauded the services of Mr. Puttanna and Ms. Vimala Gowda, who previously served as Deputy Chairpersons, Congress leaders criticised the BJP for removing Mr. Puttanna from the post by moving a resolution back in 2011.
Accusing the Opposition of practising “opportunistic politics”, senior Congress leader Veeranna Mattikatti alleged that Ms. Vimala Gowda, senior member of the House, was removed to pave the way for an “unholy arrangement” with the JD(S).
This finally led to accusations and counter-accusations between the Congress and the Opposition.
