Election to Deputy Chairperson: Congress throws hat into ring

In a dramatic development, ruling Congress has fielded its candidate for the election to the post of Deputy Chairperson of Legislative Council on Friday. Dharmasena of Congress has filed nomination following the direction from the party.

Till Thursday night, election of Janata Dal (Seecular) candidate Marithibbe Gowda was presumed to be certain, following an understanding reached between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and JD (S). Earlier, Puttanna of JDS was elected as the Deputy Chairperson, leaving the post of Chairperson to D.H. Shankaramurthy of the BJP.

With the resignation of Mr. Puttanna, the post had fallen vacant and Mr. Shankaramurthy had announced election to that post. Mr. Marithibbe Gowda filed his nomination following direction from the party.

According to sources in Congress, a decision on fielding Mr. Dharmasena was taken jointly by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G. Parameshwar “to expose JD(S) pseudo secular credentials.”

The choice was between senior Congress leader Motamma and Dharmasena. As Motamma decided against contesting, Mr. Dharmasena was chosen as the candidate, sources said. The party is planning to secure the support of “discontented” people in both JD (S) and BJP. There is a possibility of a few members remaining absent during the election. “We are serious and leaving no stone unturned to assure victory of our candidate”, said a senior Congress leader on condition of anonymity.

To win the election, any candidate needs 38 votes. While BJP has 32 votes including that of Mr. Shankaramurthy, Congress has a strength of 31 members. There are 12 JD (S) members in the Upper House.