Council chairman post for JD(S)?

With Legislative Council Chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy, who is among the six members retiring from the Council on June 21, not seeking election, the next round of negotiations in the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance is likely to be for the post of chairman.

“Since we have almost agreed to let go the post of Speaker to the Congress, by alliance convention, we will expect to get the post of chairman in the Council. There are senior members from our party, who can occupy the post,” a senior JD(S) leader and a Council member said, adding that the final call will be taken by party supremo H.D. Deve Gowda and Chief Minister-designate H.D. Kumaraswamy.

“Though Congress-JD-S alliance, which currently has 47 seats in the 75-member House, has the numbers to get the post for the alliance nominee, the elections to 11 seats (from Assembly) and six (three each in graduate and teachers’ constituencies) will have a bearing on the selection,” he said.