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Congress’ Ramesh Kumar begins second stint as Karnataka assembly Speaker
Ramesh Kumar previously served as the speaker of the assembly between 1994 and 1999.
Congress legislator KR Ramesh Kumar was elected unopposed as the Karnataka assembly Speaker in Bengaluru on Friday after the BJP candidate withdrew his nomination for the post.
Congress legislative party leader Siddaramaiah proposed Kumar’s name for the Speaker’s post, which was seconded by deputy chief minister G Parameshwara.
Speaking in the assembly, chief minister Kumaraswamy said, “Doubts were expressed over Ramesh Kumar holding the Speaker position given his young age. But, he brought dignity to the office in his first stint in the 90s.”
Ramesh Kumar was formerly a member of the Janata Dal. He has previously served as the speaker of the assembly between 1994 and 1999. Kumar first won an election in 1978 as a Congress member before moving to the Janata Dal in 1985. In 2004, he moved back to the Congress and has been with the party ever since.
BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa said his party’s candidate, Suresh Kumar, withdrew his nomination so there could be a unanimous choice. “The Speaker’s post belongs to no party,” the former CM said
Parameshwara had appealed to the opposition on Thursday to not contest the post and allow Ramesh Kumar to become the speaker, considering his experience in the post.
