Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala appointed BJP's Virajpet MLA KG Bopaiah as the Pro tem speaker. He will oversee proceedings for the floor test on Saturday afternoon. Reacting sharply to the development, the Congress said it will not accept this as it was in violation of established conventions. "The convention is to appoint the senior-most MLA without showing bias towards man, woman and party. By this convention, RV Deshpande should have been appointed. RV Deshpande is an eight-time MLA and was expected to be appointed the pro tem speaker," said Abhishek Manu Singhvi. KG Bopaiah was the Karnataka Assembly Speaker from 2009 to 2013. Bopaiah is known to be a trusted ally of BS Yeddyurappa. In October 2010, during the crisis surrounding the illegal mining scam, several MLAs from the BJP within the party had objected to the government under the leadership of Yeddyurappa.
Speaker Bopaiah, in a controversial move, had disqualified 11 rebel BJP MLAs and 5 independents. This had played a major role in the survival of the BJP government in Karnataka. Earlier today, the SC was hearing a petition filed by the Congress-JD(S) combine in Karnataka against the decision of Governor to invite BJP’s BS Yeddyurappa to form the government. Senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi produced the letter by Yeddyurappa to the governor. Rohatgi said there was no need to name the MLAs supporting BJP. The SC told Rohatgi while Yeddyurappa’s letter didn't disclose names of MLAs, the other side gave letter signed by MLAs. “Ultimately it is the number game and the Governor needs to see which aide has the number,” the SC said. Rohatgi insisted that there was an “unholy alliance” between the Congress and the JD(S).