Bengaluru/Mangaluru, Jun 2 (PTI) Karnataka Speaker U T Khader hosting a dinner for officers and employees of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Secretariat on Tuesday has triggered speculation that he may be inducted into the new Council of Ministers led by CM-designate D K Shivakumar.
Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, is scheduled to be sworn in as chief minister along with members of his Council of Ministers at 4.05 pm on June 3 at the Lok Bhavan premises.
“All officers and employees of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Secretariat are hereby informed that the Speaker has organised a dinner gathering today, Tuesday, June 2, at 6 pm at the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha,” the Assembly Secretariat said in a circular.
However, earlier in the day, speaking to reporters in Mangaluru, Khader said he had received no official information regarding reports suggesting he could be appointed a minister in the new Cabinet.
Some reports even suggested that he was in the race to become deputy CM.
He said he had only seen such media reports and had not been officially informed of anything in this regard.
“I continue to serve as Speaker and have no specific aspirations for any particular post. Any decision on responsibilities rests entirely with the party,” he added.
Recalling that there were similar discussions about a ministerial berth in 2023 before he was made Speaker, Khader said he had performed the role with full sincerity and dedication.
“The portfolio does not matter to me; what matters is the work,” he emphasised.
Khader expressed satisfaction with his current role, noting that every legislator aspires to become Speaker at least once.
He said he would comment on broader political issues only after stepping down from the Speaker’s post. PTI KSU SSK
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