The suspense over election of the chief whip of the Janata Dal (Secular), the principal Opposition party in the Legislative Assembly, is finally over. A first-time MLA from Sorab, Madhu Bangarappa, has been named for the post.
Mr. Madhu Bangarappa is the son of the former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa and president of the youth wing of the party. Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly H.D. Kumaraswamy has written to Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa to appoint Mr. Madhu Bangarappa as chief whip of the party in the Assembly. He won the tough race, leaving legislators Y.S.V. Datta, B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, Mallikarjuna Khuba and C.B. Suresh Babu behind. The coveted post holds a Cabinet Minister’s rank.
Mr. Kumaraswamy said Mr. Madhu Bangarappa was his first choice for the post, as he had all the credentials to handle it.
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However, the post of Deputy Leader in the Assembly has not been filled. According to party sources, as there was no one in the race for the post, Sakleshpur MLA H.K. Kumaraswamy will be elected unopposed shortly.