Mangaluru's five-term MLA U T Khader files nomination for Karnataka Speaker post


Bengaluru, May 23 (IANS): Karnataka's former Minister and five-term MLA U.T. Khader on Tuesday filed his nomination for the post of the Assembly Speaker.

Khader, who was accompanied by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, DyCM D.K. Shivakumar and cabinet minister Zameer Ahmad Khan, filed his nominations at the Vidhana Soudha here.

He will be the first from the Muslim community to become the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Sources in Congress said that he has agreed for a two-year term. The high command has agreed to give him a cabinet berth afterwards.

After veteran parliamentarian Bantwal Vaikunta Baliga, Khader is the second person from coastal Dakshina Kannada to become the Speaker of Karnataka Assembly.

Suspense over the new Speaker ended with the Congress nominating him. The House will elect the Speaker on May 24 and Khader is most likely to be elected unanimously as per tradition.

Siddaramaiah proposed his name and Shivakumar endorsed his candidature for the post. The nomination paper was submitted to the Secretary of Legislative Assembly Vishalakshi.

Khader is a soft spoken politician who got elected from Mangaluru (Ullal) constituency five times.

He worked as Minister for Health, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies in the Congress government headed by Siddaramaiah in 2013. He also worked as the deputy leader of the opposition party in the state Assembly.

As seniors declined to accept the post and wished to continue as MLAs, the high command managed to convince young leader Khader for the post.

Sources explained that veteran leaders R.V. Deshapande, T.B. Jayachandra and H.K. Patil were the choices of the party. However, the seniors flatly refused the proposal. Deshpande even went to the extent of saying that he does not deserve the post.

AICC Secretary K.C. Venugopal and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala personally spoke to Khader and requested him to take up the post in the interest of the party. They also assured him of due recognition by the party, the sources said.

Later, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also spoke to him personally and convinced him. Though Khader comes from communally-sensitive Dakshina Kannada, he never made a provocative statement nor indulged in hate speech.

He has won the confidence of all sections of society cutting across the religious lines.

Khader pursued his B.A. L.L.B. at Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College (SDM). He is interested in bike and car racing. He has taken part in state and national level championships and is passionate about sports and plays cricket, football, volleyball, hockey and tennis.

He was NSUI District General Secretary in 1990 and he served NSUI as Dakshina Kannada District President between 1994 to 1999. From 1999 to 2001, Khader served as the State Vice President of NSUI. He went on to become Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Secretary in 2008.

He represented the Assembly seat vacated following the death of his father in 2008 and till date he remains undefeated. He was honoured with the 'Sadana Veera' award for his performance as a legislator in the tenure of 2008 to 2013. He has also won the 'Shining India' Award for being the best legislator.

During his stint as the health minister under the Siddaramaiah government, he banned gutka, introduced bike ambulances, dialysis units in taluk government hospitals and was also awarded best health minister.

He is also known for streamlining and simplifying the process for obtaining ration cards as a minister of Food and Civil Supplies.

 

 

 

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Albert, Mangalore

    Tue, May 23 2023

    Bali ka Bhakra!!

    DisAgree [9] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohan Shetty k, Mangaluru

    Tue, May 23 2023

    ' Congratulations Sir "

    DisAgree Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • CharlesD'Mello, Pangala

    Tue, May 23 2023

    U T Kader has all the abilities of a speaker.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kedhar, Mangaluru.

    Tue, May 23 2023

    This is fate of Mangaluru and once undivided DK district. One Yogish became MLA some 5 times and succeeded to be Deputy Speaker😎, did nothing worthwhile except talking of Mangala Corniche and Sultan Battery Ropeway.2 from here became CMs and did not even develop their place Karkala, Puttur! All useless.. And still we talk of Sri U Srinivas Mallya and Sri George Fernandesji only!! Our Karma..

    DisAgree [4] Agree [51] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shaikh Mohammad Ghouse, Mangalore

    Tue, May 23 2023

    Dear Sir. Best wishes.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [42] Reply Report Abuse

  • mriyaza, mangaluru

    Tue, May 23 2023

    proud to be a MANGALORIAN & proud of the achievement_UTK and he should be given next MP election seat on Lok Sabha election

    DisAgree [7] Agree [43] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohammed Altaf, Mumbai Maharashtra

    Tue, May 23 2023

    Mabrook Khader Bhai, Allah Ke Ghar Der Hai Andher Nahi, Congratulations From Mumbai Ke Bhailog.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [43] Reply Report Abuse

  • Thoma, Sirsi

    Tue, May 23 2023

    When will government start to function normally. All are still in celebration mode..looks like to file nomination why need so many unwanted people..who bear the cost and time.

    DisAgree [53] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Deepak, Mangalore

    Tue, May 23 2023

    Chicken biriyani ಮಾಡಲಿಕ್ಕೆ chiken ತುoಡು ಮಾಡಿದರೆ ರೆಡಿ ಆಗುವಾದಿಲ್ಲ. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಮಸಾಲಾ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಹಾಕಿ ಸರಿ ಬೆಯ್ಸ್ಲಿಕ್ಕೆ ಸಮಯ ತಾಗ್ತಾದೆ ಆ ಮೇಲೆ ನೇ .... ತಿನ್ಲಿಕ್ಕೆ ಆಗ್ತಾದೆ.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joel, Mangalore

    Tue, May 23 2023

    The lower system is working as usual, so there's nothing to worry about.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sheikh Najeeb, Udupi / Dubai

    Tue, May 23 2023

    Congratulation UT Khader!!

    DisAgree [20] Agree [65] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sheriff, Mangalore

    Tue, May 23 2023

    So, one of the promises extended to the community by Congress is partially fulfilled. 4 more berths to go. We are waiting for the announcement of Education , Home and Finance.

    DisAgree [58] Agree [36] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nafisa A, Mangalore

    Tue, May 23 2023

    Yes, its high time we get our due. No that we are remembered only during elections.

    DisAgree [41] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajesh Kumar, Mangalore

    Tue, May 23 2023

    That's for BPL..

    DisAgree [9] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ganesh, Mumbai

    Tue, May 23 2023

    Home and Finance?. Are you joking?

    DisAgree [9] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sheriff, Mangalore

    Tue, May 23 2023

    Ganesh, This was the promise to the WAQF board . This board was instrumental in winning 76 seats., Hence there was a paradigm shift in JDS votes that helped Cong win in a Thumping majority. So I believe ruling party now has this moral obligation.

    DisAgree [18] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ganesh, Mumbai

    Tue, May 23 2023

    That's ok. But what about the future of our state?

    DisAgree [5] Agree [11] Report Abuse

  • John Tauro, M'lore

    Tue, May 23 2023

    Be it centre or state, irrespective of party, home is normally given to big sharks. Secondly Congress too has realised now that without pleasing (not appeasing) the majority they cannot win any election.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Pramod kumar, Manglore

    Tue, May 23 2023

    Except speaker, no post will be given. Wait and watch. Zamir Ahmed will get minority affairs, that's it.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nikki, Qatar

    Tue, May 23 2023

    Brother its the collective effort of all communities from people of Karnataka to boot the bjp out. Equal representation has to be given to all. Thats why congress is called is a secular party!!

    DisAgree [6] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Mangaluru's five-term MLA U T Khader files nomination for Karnataka Speaker post



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