New Delhi: The Supreme Court bench today turned down Congress and JD(S) plea against Governor Vajubahi Vala’s decision of appointing KG Bopaiah as the Pro Tem Speaker ahead of the crucial floor test in the Karnataka assembly.
The Congress party had challenged the Governor decision of appointing 3-time BJP MLA Bopaiah as the Pro Tem speaker. As per the seniority norms Congress Rv Deshpande was supposed to be appointed as the Pro Tem speaker.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal who was representing Congress told the Supreme Court that as per convention senior-most MLA should be appointed pro tem speaker.”Governor has very limited discretionary power in appointing pro tem speaker, says Sibal, appearing for Cong-JD(S) ” he added.
Sibal cleared that they had no objection if pro tem speaker only had to administer an oath to MLAs, the problem is he is also holding floor test.
“Appointing senior-most lawmaker as pro tem speaker is practiced in Commonwealth countries” Sibal added further.
Supreme Court bench rejected Congress plea with a statement that “There have been earlier instances where senior-most MLA has not been appointed as pro tem speaker.” Supreme court in its judgement worried that cancelling the appointment will lead to dealy in floor test. “If you (Sibal) are casting aspersions on pro tem speaker then we will have to issue a notice to him and postpone floor test,” said the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court also made it clear that it can not direct the Governor on the appointment of the Pro tem speaker.
Supreme in its decision also ordered live telecast of floor test at Karnataka Assembly.”Live broadcast of floor test will be best possible way to ensure transparency in proceedings” said the bench.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
