AICC Appoints GS Patil as Assembly Speaker, Salim Ahmed as Council Chairman Alongside Cabinet Expansion

Bengaluru, August 3: The long-awaited cabinet expansion under CM DK Shivakumar finally took place, with new ministers sworn in this evening. Alongside the oath ceremony, the AICC finalised the names for the new Assembly Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Legislative Council Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

G.S. Patil, MLA from the Ron constituency in Gadag district, has been appointed as the new Assembly Speaker, while A.S. Ponnanna, MLA from Virajpet constituency in Kodagu district, will take charge as Deputy Speaker. Salim Ahmed has been named Legislative Council Chairman, and Umashree will serve as Deputy Chairman.

Former Speaker and Deputy Speaker Now Become Ministers

U.T. Khader, who served as Assembly Speaker during former CM Siddaramaiah's tenure, had already resigned from that post and is now serving as Health Minister in CM DK Shivakumar's cabinet. Former Deputy Speaker Rudrappa Lamani, who also took the ministerial oath today, has indicated that he has been advised to resign from his current post ahead of the transition.

Will Incumbent Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti Resign?

Although Basavaraj Horatti is currently serving as Legislative Council Chairman, his resignation now appears almost certain in light of the AICC's new decision. Earlier rumours had suggested the state government was pressuring him to vacate the post, which Horatti had denied. However, some Congress leaders had openly stated that it would be appropriate for Horatti — elected on a BJP ticket — to step down given that BJP no longer holds a majority. "We cannot accept someone elected from the BJP," they had said.

Meanwhile, Legislative Council Deputy Chairman M.K. Pranesha had recently announced his resignation after the High Court ruled in favour of Congress leader Gayatri Shantegouda in an election dispute. Umashree has now been appointed to fill that vacancy as well.