Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced the appointment of AS Ponnanna, a prominent lawyer and MLA from Virajpet, as his legal advisor with cabinet rank.

The notification regarding this appointment was issued by Siddaramaiah on Thursday evening, solidifying Ponnanna's new role in the state government.

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AS Ponnanna brings legal expertise and experience to his new position. As a seasoned lawyer, he has made significant contributions to the legal profession and has established a reputation for his proficiency in handling complex legal matters.

As the legal advisor with cabinet rank, AS Ponnanna will have a significant role in providing legal counsel, supporting policy formulation, and assisting the Chief Minister in matters requiring legal expertise.

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Kochi (PTI): Senior Congress leader V D Satheesan on Friday expressed confidence in a huge win by the UDF, claiming it will make a clean sweep in five districts, and brushed aside speculations that the NDA will open its account in Kerala.

Satheesan, speaking to reporters here a day after the conclusion of the Assembly polls, praised the performance of the UDF leaders and workers during the election, saying it was the best ever he has seen in the last 30 years.

He said that his claims of the UDF getting over 100 seats is not a mere statement, but based on the work the front has done during the last five years to bring back all those who had left it in 2005 and as a result, there was a huge wave in its favour in the state.

The leader of opposition in the state assembly, who contested from the Paravoor constituency, further said that the Congress-led front also had a major social backing from minorities and marginalised groups in the society.

Besides that, there was an anti-incumbency feeling among the people who were disappointed with the LDF rule, he claimed and said that the UDF provided them with a hope and an alternative which no other opposition had done in the past.

"All these factors will contribute to a huge win for the UDF and it would not be surprising if we make a clean sweep in Malappuram, Wayanad, Ernakulam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts. That is a total of 43 seats," he said.

According to him, the polling percentage increased because the UDF got people added to the electoral list.

He also brushed aside the LDF remarks about a woman or youth CM, saying that "they can make such statements now as they know they cannot win".

"Otherwise, why did they campaign with Pinarayi Vijayan as the main factor. Why did they say a third Pinarayi rule will come?" he asked.

He also claimed that the LDF's decision to spend government money on its political campaign, by putting up hoardings and carrying out social media programmes to sway voters, has also backfired as people realised that their taxes were being wasted like that.

Asked whether the NDA will open its account, especially in areas where the UDF claimed the BJP-led front had made a deal with the LDF, Satheesan replied in the negative.

He said that as of now he does not see any chance of the NDA opening its account in the state.