Date:04/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/04/stories/2008060454210400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Shettar all set to become Speaker

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: Bharatiya Janata Party MLA and former Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar has agreed to become Speaker of the 13th Legislative Assembly.

Addressing presspersons after a Cabinet meeting, Ministers V.S. Acharya and S. Suresh Kumar said Mr. Shettar has agreed for the Speaker’s post after consultation with senior leaders of the party in New Delhi on Monday. Mr. Shettar has been elected member of the lower House for the fourth consecutive term, since 1994.

Soon after the formation of the BJP Government, Mr. Shettar had rejected the offer of the post of Speaker and his supporters had held demonstrations in Bangalore and Hubli demanding a berth in the Ministry for him.

Mr. Shettar (53) was elected from the Hubli-Dharwad Central constituency. He served as Minister for Revenue in the Kumaraswamy Government and the Leader of the Opposition in the 11th Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Shettar, who holds B.Com and LLB degrees, had served as president and general secretary of the State unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The State Cabinet, which met for 20 minutes, also cleared the speech of the Governor to the joint session the State legislature.

The Governor directed the Government to prove majority following the BJP’s failure to get simple majority of 113 and forming government with the support of six independents.