Newly elected K'taka Assembly Speaker gets rousing welcome in Mangaluru

The newly elected Speaker of Karnataka Assembly U T Khader was accorded a rousing welcome in his home constituency here by his supporters and party workers on Thursday.

This is his first visit to Mangaluru after taking charge as Speaker of the Assembly.

Talking to reporters at the Circuit House, Khader thanked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and other party leaders for considering him for the prestigious position.

Khader said he will continue his work for the overall development of his constituency and also discharge his duties as Speaker efficiently by taking everyone into confidence.

On the disappointment expressed by some of his supporters who were expecting a ministerial berth for him, Khader said even as the Speaker, he will continue to discharge his duties as a legislator and fulfil the aspirations of people in his constituency, which has returned him to the Assembly for the fifth time.

The Speaker’s job is an honourable position. I have been a minister many times. My supporters know about a minister’s role but they are unaware about the position of the Speaker. “I will create an atmosphere wherein the public will be happy with my position,” he said.