Motamma to be the First Woman Opposition Leader in Council


Motamma to be the First Woman Opposition Leader in Council

Bangalore, Jan 10 (DHNS) : The Karnataka Legislative Council will have a woman as the leader of the Opposition for the first time in its history. 

The Congress has nominated former minister Motammma for the post.

Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah informed presspersons here on Saturday that the party high command sent a fax suggesting Motamma’s name for the post.

The CLP leader, as per the procedure, will inform the Council chairman on the decision.
Motamma will enjoy the position for a short duration as the Congress loses its status of principal opposition party on June 20. Three nominated members will retire reducing the party’s strength in the Council to 16. The Council elections scheduled in May and June may, however, tilt the balance in its favour. The legislature is yet to issue a notification on the appointment of Motamma.

The JD(S) is yet to decide on occupying the slot of the principal opposition for a short duration. MLC Y S V Datta said, “If the government convenes the session after a month, we may have to think whether to be the principal Opposition because we will be left with very short duration before leaving the position to the Congress. When the time comes, we will discuss with the Congress and decide”.

Loyalty has paid

The 49-year-old Motamma, a former Congress Working Committee member said her loyalty to the party brought her the position.

“The fact that I am one among the senior women leaders in the party has also played a role in my selection,”  she said. Motamma is elected to the Council from the Legislative Assembly. Her term as MLC completes in June 2012.

Motamma entered the Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1978 after winning Mudigere seat on Congress ticket. Before that she had served as probationary sub-registrar in Chikmagalur. The then Lok Sabha member from Chikmagalur D B Chandre Gowda brought her into politics.

As an MLA of Mudigere she campaigned for Indira Gandhi, when she contested for Parliament from Chikmagalur. She was elected to the Assembly three times and served as minister of Women and Child Development during the S M Krishna’s tenure as Chief Minister. She is said to be close to Sonia Gandhi. 

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • raj, mangalore

    Mon, Jan 11 2010

    Ralph, Udupi/Canada. for last 50 years karnataka was under congress admin..now only its under BJP..so correct ur self as last 2 years...truth always comes from mouth..

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur,Puttur/Mangalore

    Mon, Jan 11 2010

    Dear Mr. Nagesh Nayak, Are you in India and are you blindly commenting that in 60 years congress has done nothing? What developments BJP (NDA) has done in 5 years term? Only India shining campaign through media, Kargil war, Samjotha express, purchasing coffins on commissions for loyal soldiers by these deshbhakts? Are these you call developments? The growth rate of India during 5 years term of bjp (NDA) was only 5.5 percent. Is this you call a development? And now bjp wanted to en-cash whatever congress has done in 60 years? What is remaining now? Only roads concreting in Mangalore and elsewhere? Widening of the roads in Mangalore? Remember Mr. Bharatlal Meena made lot of provisions for widening roads. Now Mr.Ponnusamy is carrying out progressive path. I do not give credit to Mr. Yeddyurappa. He is throwing the funds as per whims and fancies of the fundamentals. Through out his life as a opposition leader he has opposed all the developmental works of the congress and spewed venom against other communities and after coming to power he showed his true colors. You say that Mr. Yeddyurappa cannot do miracles in his fingertips? Why cannot? Have you not heard Mr. Yeddyurappa prayed and gods provided rain to Karnataka and the north Karnataka washed away? Now begging for funds by keeping Karnataka treasury empty and in the back yard all the collected money goes to bjp and fundamentals. Mr. Nagesh Nayak Security and peace is your illusion. Mangaloreans have witnessed already.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • nagesh nayak, bangalore

    Mon, Jan 11 2010

    HI RALPH,UDUPI/CANADA, YOU AGREE THAT IN LAST 60 YEARS YOUR CONGRESS DID NOTHING. NOW BJP GOVT. IS DOING ROADS,PROVIDING DRINKING WATER, 24 HRS ELECTRICITY, SECURITY & PEACE IN SOCIETY. WE ARE LUCKY THAT BJP CAME TO POWER IN KARNATAKA. OTHERWISE AS YOU SAID WE HAVE TO FACE STONEAGE ERA. JAI HO BJP.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • ISMAIL K PERINJE, PERINJE/YANBU-KSA

    Sun, Jan 10 2010

    Congrats Madam Motamma for being named first women Opposition Leader in Council.She was active politician during and after death of Late Mrs INDIRA GANDHI.Some are how she was sidelined for some time and better than late,as she said,loyalty has paid,Congress recognised her service and elavated to top post. I think by doing this the last laugh will be with congress as BJP,uncrmoniously gave a gatepass to Madam Shoba K.,the only women rep in the Karntaka ministry.Well done congress! Best of luck M/S Motamma.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Ralph, Udupi/Canada

    Sun, Jan 10 2010

    Karnataka state is worst hit by the political instability and the stone-age policies of BJP. I have not seen the roads ever being fixed in my rural area in my lifetime of 29 years. Power cuts are so regular its annoying. Our neighbors TN, MH, Goa dont suffer that much. Lets hope that we get a government that can atleast give us the least basics to live. I think a change in govt is badly needed.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Lancelot N Tauro, Mangalore/Doha Qatar

    Sun, Jan 10 2010

    GOOD Luck Motamma, fulfill your MOTTOS, continue your service with honest and loyalty.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • John Max, Surathkal\USA

    Sun, Jan 10 2010

    One of the truly secular women in Karnataka politics who has taken the communal elements head on , on many different occasions...Congratulations to her and best wishes.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • STEVAN, LORETO/DUBAI

    Sun, Jan 10 2010

    ALL THE BEST MOTAMMA..LETS MAKE THINGS BETTER..

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Motamma to be the First Woman Opposition Leader in Council



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.