Karnataka Governor nominates five MLCs to Legislative Council

Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala nominates five MLCs to Karnataka Legislative Council hours after Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa met Governor in a ‘Courtesy visit’s’ on Wednesday. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/HG9w3bEN48

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“In exercise of the powers vested in me by the sub- clause (e) of clause (3) of Article 171 of the Constitution of India, I, Vajubhai Vala, Governor of Karnataka, nominate the following persons to be the members of the Karnataka Legislative Council, with immediate effect,” an official gazette notification issued on Wednesday said.

Shantharam Budna Siddi, one of the five newly nominated BJP MLCs from the Siddi community in Uttara Kannada district is the first from the community to be nominated for a legislative body . His ancestors are believed to be descendants of the Bantu people from Southeast Africa.

Shantarama Siddi is also the first in the community to hold a degree. He has been a tribal activist in Vanavasi Kalyanashram.

Meanwhile, Adagur H Vishwanath and C P Yogeshwar played an important role in the Yediyurappa led BJP government coming to power in Karnataka last year.

Former JD(S) leader H Vishwanath joined BJP after rebelling against the HD Kumarswamy led Congress-JD(S) coalition government. He lost in the December 5 by-election from the Hunsur Assembly seat in Mysuru district on a BJP ticket which had fallen vacant following his disqualification. Vishwanath’s name was recommended by Yediyurappa for MLC polls which were held in June 2020 but was rejected by the BJP high command.

Speaking to Indianexpress.com, H Vishwanath said, “I am happy that I have got nominated to MLC, this is an opportunity to serve the people and society.”