Karnataka Floor Test: Congress' wins, Ramesh Kumar elected as Speaker ahead of chief minister HD Kumaraswamy trust vote

Ahead of Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy's trust vote, Congress won the Speaker race and party leader, KR Ramesh Kumar elected as speaker of the state assembly after BJP's Suresh Kumar withdraws the nomination.

We withdrew (nomination of BJP candidate) as we wanted the election to be unanimous in order to maintain the dignity of the Speaker's post, says BJP's BS Yeddyurappa in Karnataka Assembly. Will participate on all discussions in the floor of the house, says BS Yeddyurappa on Ramesh Kumar as Speaker.

Newly elected Karnataka CM, who has to go through trust vote to form its government congratulated Ramesh Kumar for being elected Speaker unanimously. Kumaraswamy says, he is very familiar with the procedure of the House. The CM also thanked MLAs of all parties for making it a unanimous election.

The CM said it is already part of legislative history how Ramesh Kumar earned the respect of all the MLAs in those 5 years. Also says he is honoured because Ramesh Kumar was Speaker when Deve Gowda was the chief minister.

Yeddyurappa said though Suresh Kumar had filed nomination for the Speaker's post, the party felt they should honour the post by avoiding an election and making it unanimous. Calls Ramesh Kumar simple, humble and unbiased.

Well, in a twist and turn in the drama, that hasn't ended in Karnataka, as Congress' Deputy CM G Parameshwara on Thursday said the party had taken not yet take any decision to support H D Kumaraswamy as CM for the full five-year-term.

“We have not yet discussed those modalities, Parameshwara said. “The issue is yet to be discussed and finalised. Our immediate aim is to pass the floor test, allocate portfolios and provide good administration. The modalities, including sharing the CM post, are yet to be worked out,” said Parameshwara who is also head of the state Congress.

Also read: Karnataka Floor Test: Congress Deputy CM Parameshwara says no decision on backing CM HD Kumaraswamy for five years term