The Hindu : Karnataka News : Legislature session from Wednesday

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 06, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Legislature session from Wednesday

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, JUNE 5. The expanded State Cabinet, which held its first meeting soon after the swearing-in ceremony today, decided to convene a session of the legislature from June 9.

While the newly elected legislators will be administered the oath as members on June 9 and 10, the Speaker will be elected on June 10.

The Governor, T.N. Chaturvedi, will address a joint session of the legislature at noon on June 11. The two Houses will be in session till June 16. Five days have been allotted for the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor for his address.

The former Minister and senior Congress member, R.V. Deshpande, will be the pro-tem Speaker. The Governor will administer the oath of office to him at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

After the meeting, the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, briefed the press about the decisions taken by the Cabinet, which has 11 members (including the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister). There is only one Minister of State.

Mr. Dharam Singh said that with the induction of 10 Ministers into the Council of Ministers, all speculation about Ministry expansion had been put to rest. The coalition Government was formed with the objective of preventing the BJP from coming to power. The Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) fought the elections against each other. But after the elections, both the parties decided to work together in the interests of the State.

"The coalition Government will work for the welfare of Dalits, farmers and the poor," the Chief Minister said.

Asked about the distribution of portfolios among the Ministers, Mr. Singh said it was his prerogative. The portfolios would be allotted in a day or two, he said.

Referring to the common minimum programme (CMP) of the coalition Government, he said it would be drafted after the debate on the Governor's address to the joint session of the legislature.

The Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, said the Government, led by the Congress, would implement pro-people policies. The Governor's address would highlight the Government's programmes. Based on the reaction of members to the Governor's address, the CMP would be finalised.

"It is our responsibility to give a good Government," he said adding that the BJP had no moral right to criticise the coalition Government.

The new Cabinet Minister, H.D. Revanna, was present.

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