BJP dethrones Puttanna

BANGALORE: This is perhaps a first in the history of the legislative council that the deputy chairman of the House has been removed through a no-confidence motion. C Puttanna, a JD(S) member, was removed from his chair on Friday. Vimala Gowda of the ruling BJP is likely to succeed him.
The BJP moved the motion after its members D S Veeraiah and Doddarange Gowda accused Puttanna of indulging in party politics, besides being partial in the conduct of the House.
Chairman D H Shankaramurthy allowed the motion to be moved at a time when majority of opposition members, particularly of the JD(S), were not present in the House. When it was put to vote, Congress deputy leader S R Patil demanded a discussion on the matter and termed the entire procedure as unconventional.
The motion was adopted with 28 votes in its favour. JD(S) members who entered the House after this shouted anti-government slogans.