From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 15: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, who created history by banning the entry of private television channels and their camera personnel during the recent three-day session of the House and thereby incurred the wrath of opposition parties and the media fraternity, has now taken another first of its step by appointing an advisor.

Retired secretary of the state assembly Om Prakash has been chosen as the new advisor to the Speaker raising eyebrows and resentment from the state legislature staff.

It may be recalled the chief minister has political secretaries and even advisors to guide him on various issues. But the decision of the Speaker to appoint an advisor for his is said to be the first of its kind in the state and probably in other states as well.

Om Prakash had served as secretary of the assembly during the previous Congress and BJP governments. He retired from the post four years ago.

The decision of Kageri, who was reportedly foisted on chief minister B S Yediyurappa as the latter was keen on appointing his own nominee to the post, of appointing an advisor has drawn flak from the state assembly secretariat staff.

The Speaker, who represents the Sirsi constituency in Uttara Kannada district, had reportedly made the appointment a few days ago but had kept it under wraps.

The news of the appointment became known only on Tuesday.