SC begins hearing of Cong-JDS plea against pro tem speaker: The Supreme Court begins hearing Congress-Janata Dal-Secular combine’s plea challenging Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala’s decision to appoint K G Bopaiah as the pro tem speaker to conduct the crucial floor test.
Bopaiah, who was the speaker between 2009 and 2013, is considered close to B S Yeddyurappa.
The Congress-JDS combine has approached the apex court, arguing that he is not the senior most MLA.
Usually, the senior most member is selected as the pro tem speaker for purposes, which also include election of the speaker.
Pro tem is a Latin phrase which best translates to “for the time being” or temporary.
The Supreme Court had in 2011 quashed Bopaiah’s decision to disqualify 16 MLAs ahead of the no-confidence motion which had ensured the survival of the Yeddyurappa government.
The apex court had then said that basic constitutional values and principles of natural justice were not observed by Bopaiah in disqualifying the 11 rebel BJP and five independent legislators.
