U.T. Khader is Congress choice for Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly

Mangaluru MLA’s candidature will be formalised during the Congress Legislature’s Party meeting scheduled on May 24. The ruling party’s nominee is, generally, unanimously elected as the Speaker.

Former Minister and five-time MLA U.T. Khader is the choice of the Congress for the post of Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

His candidature will be formalised during the Congress Legislature’s Party meeting scheduled on Wednesday (May 24). The ruling party’s nominee is, generally, unanimously elected as the Speaker.

Mr Khader will file the nomination for the Speaker’s post on May 23, sources in the Congress said. If elected, Mr Khader will be the first Muslim leader to serve in the post of Speaker of the Assembly in Karnataka.

While the names of senior party leaders and former ministers R.V. Deshpande and H.K. Patil were being discussed, sources said both did not show interest in the job. 

AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala persuaded Mr Khader to take up the job, sources in the Congress said.

Born on October 12, 1969, Mr Khader served as Deputy Leader of Opposition when BJP was in charge of the government (2019-23).

He holds a bachelor’s degree in law. He started his political career as a district functionary of the NSUI in the 1990s. He is a five-time MLA.