ENS

Bangalore, Jun 25: Home Minister V S Acharya has been appointed leader of the House in the legislative council, while Veeranna Mattikatti will be the new leader of the Opposition. However, Mattikatti’s appointment will only be restricted to the on-going session.

Council chairman Prof B K Chandrashekhar announced the appointment of Acharya and Mattikatti immediately after the House assembled here on Monday.

Meanwhile, nominated members, Minister for Wakf and Minorities Welfare Mumtaz Ali Khan, educationist Prof Dorai Swamy Naidu, Prof Doddarangegowda and Dr S R Leela took oath as council members. Another member and BJP senior leader Vijay Sankeshwar, who was to take oath, was absent.

The absence of CM B S Yeddyurappa in the House drew protest from the Opposition members. JD(U) leader M P Nadagouda said that it was a precedent that the Chief Minister be present in the House to introduce his Cabinet colleagues.

"How should we know who is the minister if they are not introduced to the House?," he asked. Following demand from the Opposition, Acharya introduced all ministers to the House.

The House later condoled the death of former CM S R Bommai, former Union minister Basavarajeshwari, MLC Blasium D’Souza, former MLCs Chennaiah Vadeyar, D Kariyappagowda and Sarita Kusumakar Desai and former minister Eva Vaz.