In Karnataka, the 82 year old senior Congress leader and Sagar MLA Kagodu Thimmappa was elected unanimously as the 19th Speaker of Karnataka legislative Assembly today. After assuming charge, he sought the cooperation of all the members of the House in upholding the dignity of the House and initiate meaning dialogue on important issues of public interest. He disclosed that 67 first time MLAs elected to the 14th Assembly will be imparted training in legislative procedures.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, leader of the Opposition in the Assembly H D Kumaraswamy, BJP legislative party leader Jagadish Shetter among others congratulated Kogodu Thimappa on this occasion. The Assembly was thereafter adjourned till Monday, when the Governor H R Bharadwaj will address members of both Upper and Lower House.