Karnataka Governor appoints BJP MLA Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker, Congress cries foul

Ahead of Saturday's floor test, Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala appointed BJP MLA KG Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker, news agency ANI reported. 

The Supreme Court on Friday had asked the Yeddyurappa-led BJP government to conduct a floor test to prove its majority in the Karnataka assembly.

The apex court issued the order following a petition challenging Karnataka Governor's invitation to BS Yeddyurappa to take oath as chief minister.

Procedurally, the Governor elects the senior most member as the pro-tem Speaker.

Reacting to the appointment of pro-tem Speaker, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said according to rule book senior most leader is supposed to hold the position.  

''What the BJP has done is against the rulebook. Ideally, the senior most leader is supposed to hold that position,'' Singhvi said on BJP MLA KG Bopaiah being appointed as pro-tem Speaker.

Meanwhile, BJP's Prakash Javadekar said Congress is raising hoax objection and added the appointment of Bopaiah is as per rules and regulations.  

''KG Bopaiah was appointed as Pro Tem speaker even in 2008 by the then Governor. That time Bopaiah was 10 years younger than what he is today. Congress is thus raising hoax objection. The appointment of Bopaiah Ji is as per rules and regulations,'' Javadekar added.  

According to reports, Congress leader RV Deshpande is the senior most member in the House and has won elections eight out of the nine times that he has contested the elections since 1983. 

The second most senior member in the House is BJP’s Umesh Vishwanath Katti – who has won seven out of eight elections since 1985.