Bengaluru: Congress MLC Salim Ahmed was elected chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council on Friday, the second day of the monsoon session of the state legislature.
In the election conducted through a voice vote, Salim Ahmed secured the post with the support of 38 members, while BJP’s P.H. Poojar, the NDA candidate, received 30 votes.
The chairman’s post had fallen vacant following the resignation of Basavaraj Horatti. Salim Ahmed was the Congress candidate, while the BJP-JDS alliance fielded P.H. Poojar.
The Legislative Council has a sanctioned strength of 75 members, with Congress having 38 members, BJP 25, JDS six and one independent member. Five seats are currently vacant.
Seven proposals were moved for the chairman’s election, of which five were in favour of Salim Ahmed. Acting chairman Puttanna subsequently put the proposal to a voice vote.
With a majority of members supporting him, Salim Ahmed was declared elected as the new chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council.