Kagodu Thimmappa was elected Speaker of the 14th Legislative Assembly on Friday.
Mr. Thimmappa represents Sagar (Shimoga district) in the Assembly.
The election was unanimous with there being no opponent to the voice vote called by pro tem Speaker Malikayya Guttedar.
Thursday was the last day to submit a relevant notice to the Secretary of the Legislative Assembly and with only the Congress leaders submitting notices, it was a foregone conclusion that Mr. Thimmappa would be elected unopposed. The Congress submitted two notices for moving two motions — one by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and seconded by Minister for Higher Education R.V. Deshpande and the second was submitted by Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs T.B. Jayachandra and seconded by C.S. Nadagouda.
Both the motions were moved on Friday soon after some new members were administered the oath. As stipulated, Mr. Thimmappa had given his consent to serve as Speaker prior to the formality of going through with the election process.
Eighty-two-year-old Mr. Thimmappa was given a standing ovation by members soon after his election and was escorted to the Speaker’s chair by the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition H.D. Kumaraswamy. The new Speaker was overwhelmed, and said he would, with the cooperation of members, uphold the dignity and prestige of the House.
He said he would give equal opportunities for both ruling and Opposition parties to debate issues of public importance. Having been a member of both Houses and being in politics for nearly five decades, Mr. Thimmappa is one of the best equipped members of the present Assembly which, incidentally, comprises three former Speakers — Ramesh Kumar of the Congress and Jagadish Shettar and K.G. Bopaiah of the BJP.
The Assembly also has a combination of several senior and junior members apart from three former Chief Ministers — B.S. Yeddyurappa, H.D. Kumaraswamy and Jagadish Shettar.
Felicitating Mr. Thimmappa, Mr. Siddaramaiah said: “I am confident that the prestige and dignity of the Assembly will be enhanced under the leadership of Mr. Thimmappa.”
“All of us will extend support for the smooth conduct of the business of the House. I am very much junior to Mr. Thimmappa and hope to gain from his knowledge,” Mr. Kumaraswamy said.
Mr. Shettar, who is also the BJP Floor Leader, said the new Speaker had vast experience and members should cooperate in the interests of the people and the State.
