Bengaluru: The 10-day Monsoon Session of the State Legislature began here this morning, the first for D.K. Shivakumar as the Chief Minister.

The first two days of the session is being devoted to condolence references to the passing away of late Minister D. Sudhakar, Chennamma, wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and other former Legislators, besides the election of Presiding Officers of both the houses (Speaker in respect of Assembly and Chairman in respect of Legislative Council).

Meanwhile, Congress candidate G.T. Patil, the MLA from Rona Assembly segment in Gadag, filed his nomination papers for the post of Speaker this morning.

Patil, accompanied by CM Shivakumar, Deputy CM Dr. G. Parameshwar, Minister K.H. Muniyappa, KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad and former Minister K.H. Patil, presented his papers to Vidhana Sabha Secretary Vishalakshi. The Speaker’s post had become vacant after U.T. Khader joined the D.K. Shivakumar  cabinet. Senior  Congress MLA from Sira T.B.Jayachandra functions as the Pro-term Speaker until the newly elected speaker assumes  office.

The Congress candidate for Legislative Council Chairman post Salim Ahmed too filed his nomination papers . He was accompanied by CM Shivakumar, KPCC President Hariprasad, Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah, MLCs Dr. D. Thimmaiah, Vinay Kaarthik and Nagaraj Yadav. The election, if necessary, will take place tomorrow (Aug.14). The Council Chairman post had remained vacant following the resignation of senior most MLC  Basavaraj Horatti, who quit  after the ruling Congress gained majority in the Upper House.

The 10-day (working days) session will conclude on Aug.27.

Portfolios to new Ministers

Nearly 10 days after he expanded his Council of Ministers, CM Shivakumar yesterday allocated portfolios to his new Cabinet colleagues.

CM bows to his chair

Prior to the start of the session, CM Shivakumar entered the House after offering ‘Namaskara’ to the door sill (hostilu) of the main entrance as a mark of  respect. He also bowed to the CM’s chair  before occupying the seat.