Belagavi, Dec 19: SL Dharme Gowda of JDS was unanimously elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council on Wednesday.
As soon as the Council proceedings started, Council Chairman Prathap Chandra Shetty began the election process for the Deputy Chairman post. SL Dharme Gowda from JDS was the only candidate for the post. Since Dharme Gowda was the only candidate, Chairman Prathap Chandra Shetty announced his unanimous election as the Deputy Chairman.
Speaking on the occasion, newly elected Deputy Chairman SL Dharme Gowda said that he would allow the healthy debate in the House. Since the Chair has its own respect, he would work to protect it. Seeking the cooperation from ruling and opposition parties, he said that he would conduct the Session apolitically.
“I haven’t expected that I would be considered for the post of Legislative Council Deputy Chairman post. I have never ever asked power. The party has chosen me for the post. I would like to thank former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, PWD Minister HD Revanna, and members of ruling and opposition parties”, he said.
Opposition Leader in the Council Kota Srinivas Poojary said that opposition party has cooperated in electing the Deputy Chairman unopposed. He should uphold the Raja Dharma. The Deputy Chairman should give opportunity to the Opposition party to discuss the burning issues. The opposition party would give full cooperation for conducting the Session smoothly, he said.
It was common in a democratic system that opposition parties criticize ruling party. It was the duty of the opposition party to wield a whip when the ruling party took wrong steps. There was no doubt in the capacity of Dharme Gowda, he said.
Deputy leader of the Opposition in the Council Narayanaswamy said that the Council has given a good message to the country by electing its Chairman and Deputy Chairman unopposed.
Opposition party has also contributed in the unanimous election of Dharme Gowda. While discharging your duties in the Council, you have to control your brother Bhojegowda to ensure free and smooth Session, he said in a humorous way.
BJP members Ayanur Manjunath, Tejaswini Gowda, Pranesh and Narayanaswamy, JDS members Sharavana, Appaji Gowda, Ramesh Gowda and others congratulated Dharme Gowda.
Council leader Dr Jayamala said that Dharme Gowda has ‘dharma’ in his name and she hoped that he would work honestly as the Deputy Chairman. He should conduct the Session like Dharmaraya and the ruling party would extend all support, she added.
Council member CM Ibrahim said that now, he was satisfied after 22 years. Because, he had demanded ministerial berth to Dharme Gowda’s father. But he was not given the ministerial berth. Now, he would congratulate HD Deve Gowda for making Dharme Gowda as the Deputy Chairman, Ibrahim said.


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Tehran/Doha: Iran’s President Massoud Pezeshkian has warned that attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure could lead to “uncontrollable consequences” affecting the entire world.
In a post on X, Pezeshkian said he “strongly condemns” the strikes that targeted the South Pars gasfield earlier in the day.
“Such aggressive actions will not achieve anything for the American Zionist enemy and their supporters. Rather, they will complicate the situation and could lead to uncontrollable consequences that will affect the entire world,” he said.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior has urged residents to remain indoors due to what it described as an elevated security threat.
Authorities have not provided further details, but the advisory comes amid growing concerns over the safety of energy infrastructure and civilian areas in the region.
