Belagavi, 22 July

Senior Congress leader and Athani MLA Laxman Savadi may be considered for the post of Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly if he is not accommodated in the upcoming Cabinet expansion, party sources told Salar News.

This comes as the Congress government is set to expand its Cabinet before the session begins on 6 August. However, this may be delayed to next week amid protests over the NEET paper leak. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has gone to Delhi to meet the High Command, but with senior party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi-Varda being detained on Tuesday, the High Command’s focus has reportedly shifted. 

"Senior leaders have been asked to come again for the discussion on Saturday or Sunday. The list may be finalised then, and the swearing-in will be next week," PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi said.

For the crucial Speaker post, Savadi has emerged as a frontrunner as Shivakumar seeks to balance regional and caste equations. Reports suggest that Shivakumar may also have two more Deputy Chief Ministers. 

Former ministers HK Patil and Dinesh Gundu Rao were among the names considered initially, while senior MLA BR Patil has also emerged as a contender. However, sources said discussions are underway on offering the Speaker's post to Savadi, a four-time MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister, if he does not find a place in the Cabinet. 

There are five Congress MLAs in Belagavi in the race for one of the 20 vacant Cabinet berths, including Lakshmi Hebbalkar, who may get back her post as Women and Child Development Minister. 

Meanwhile, the Congress is also considering moving a no-confidence motion against Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, sources said. If Horatti does not step down before the next Legislature session, the party may issue the mandatory 14-day notice for moving the motion.

The Congress currently enjoys a numerical advantage in the Legislative Council after the expiry of the terms of five nominated members, reducing the BJP-JD(S) strength to 33, while the Congress has 37 members.