K.R. Ramesh Kumar has been unanimously elected as Speaker of the Assembly, announced by pro tem speaker K G. Bopaiah in the Karnataka legislative assembly. Members across party lines congratulate Mr Kumar. This is minutes after BJP candidate Suresh Kumar withdrew his nomination.
“Ramesh Kumar is an experienced man who has served as Speaker earlier,” says Mr Kumaraswamy. He also recalls the history of the State’s illustrious speakers.
Mr Kumaraswamy also says “You were the Speaker when my father (H.D Deve Gowda) served as Chief Minister. I deem it a privilege that you are Speaker now when I serve as the Chief Minister.”
Ramesh Kumar was the Speaker of Assembly during 1994-99. He was also a Health Minister in the Congress govt headed by Mr Siddaramaiah. He is a Congress MLA representing Srinivaspura from Kolar district.