From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bangalore, Feb 17: Fromer MLC B J Puttaswamy, who had joined BJP on the eve of the last assembly polls, has been appointed as the political secretary of Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.
Puttaswamy, whose initials ironically coincide with those of the ruling party in the state, was elevated as an MLC by theJanata regime under late Ramakrishna Hegde. He had later switched loyalties to join the Congress party and finally moved to BJP.

A prominent Scheduled Caste leader, Puttaswamy's appointment as political secretary which enjoys ministerial rank and perks, is seen as move to woo the Dalit community in the ensuring Bruhat Bangalore Maha Nagara Palike polls.

Jaggesh takes oath as MLC

Bangalore, Fef 17: Kannada film actor Jaggesh, who had quit his Congress seat as member of Karnataka legislative assembly to join BJP and was recently nominated to the state legislative council, took the oath as a member of the upper house on Wednesday.

Karnataka legislative council chairman Veeranna Mathikatti administered the oath the newly nominated member.

The Kannada film actor, who pipped the film actress Tara on the strength of his Vokkaliga community and the backing from transport minister R Ashok, who is also a Vokkaliga, took the oath in the name of Adichunchanagiri Math seer Balagangadharanath Swamy.

Speaking to reporters after being sworn in as the member of legislative council, Jaggesh said he would make efforts to address the problems faced by the Kannada film industry by preparing an action plan.

Relatives of Jaggesh, Transport Minister R Ashok and BJP leaders were present.

The B S Yeddyurappa-led BJP BJP Government had nominated  Jaggesh and P VKrishna Bhat to the council under a special category for people of eminence, while the nomination for former minister V Somanna was rejected by governor H R Bhardwaj, on the ground that he was a ``defector.’’