HK Patil describes ‘unfortunate’, ‘historic’ first session of newly elected Legislature sans LoP

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil on Monday described that it is “unfortunate” and “historic” that the first session of the newly elected Legislative assembly of his government was held without a primary opposition leader.

Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha, he also said the leader of opposition was always present during the first Assembly session, but Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot addressed the joint session of the state legislature without having any LoP.

The delay in electing a new leader of opposition may be BJP’s issue. With infighting bogging down the opposition BJP after its debacle in the recently-concluded state Assembly elections, the BJP has been indecisive on its leadership, both for the Legislature as also at the organisation level, but this development has set a wrong precedent for the state Legislature, which has its own history and heritage.

He said Governor Gehlot has clearly expressed his government intentions of developing the State giving equal thrust to social welfare programmes, implementation of all guarantees initiated by his government as well as balancing the economy without burdening the people.

In his address, the governor also expressed happiness on his state government commitment to empower all backward classes, scheduled classes, minorities taking all communities together to build a robust State.

He also hinted that the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government's intention of giving much importance for promotion of education, tourism besides spreading harmony, unity and peace in the society without giving space for religious hatred and communal harmony disturbance like issues was welcome.