Pro-tem speaker Bopaiah 'dented and tainted', says Cong; moves court

The Congress today took strong objection to the appointment of BJP MLA K G Bopaiah as the pro-tem speaker ahead of tomorrow's floor test in Karnataka, alleging he was "dented and tainted" as strictures were passed against him and moved court against Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision.

Raising questions over Vala's move to appoint him, Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said according to convention, the senior-most MLA is appointed the pro-tem speaker and the Governor should have followed past precedents.

The Congress claimed that its eight-time MLA R V Deshpande is the senior-most lawmaker in the assembly and appointing Bopaiah is not according to convention and constitutional norms.

"The option of going back to the court is open," he told reporters when asked whether the Congress is moving court.

"We will positively bring this to matter before the notice of the court," he said when prodded further.

Later in the evening, the Congress-JD (S) combine approached the Supreme Court challenging Vala's decision to appoint Bopaiah.

According to sources, the petition was placed before a registrar of the apex court but some defects were pointed out in the plea.

"Some defects have been pointed out to us and we are looking into these," one of lawyers, associated with the development, said.

In Bengaluru, Congress general secretary Ashok Gehlot, who is camping there, alleged that the Raj Bhawan has shut its doors as it is not accepting the party's complaint against Bopaiah's appointment.

"Raj Bhawan has succumbed to pressure from the BJP and the Centre as it is not ready to accept our letter of protest," he said, adding, "We have the mandate as all our MLAs are together and BJP will not be able to prove its majority."