Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Sunday nominated four persons to fill vacancies in the Legislative Council, which took the Congress’ strength over the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) in the 75-member Upper House. The increase in number will also bring the post of the Chairman of the House - currently occupied by senior most member Basavaraj Horatti- into focus.
The nominated persons are Arathi Krishna, chairperson of KPCC’s NRI Cell and daughter of former Minister Begane Ramaiah, activist F.H. Jakkappanavar, journalist K. Shivakumar, and former MLC Ramesh Babu.
The nominations have now taken the Congress strength to 37, compared to the BJP and JD(S)‘s 29 and seven, respectively, taking their total to 36. Besides the Chairman, Lakhan Jarkiholi, elected as an Independent, are the other members of the House.
The nominations have come in place of seats that have fallen vacant owing to the resignation of C.P. Yogeshwar, and the retirements of K.A. Thippeswamy, U.B. Venkatesh, and Prakash Rathod.
Mr. Horatti, who had formally joined the BJP in May 2022 — months before his historic eighth win on the trot — had been elected as the Chairman unanimously in December 2022. Deputy Chairman M.K. Pranesh also belongs to the BJP.
