Bengaluru: The ruling BJP, which emerged as the single-largest party in the Legislative Council after winning all the four seats in the recent elections is on the way to oust Council Chairman Prathap Chandra Shetty, who is a Congress MLC.
Out of the 75-member Council, the BJP has 31 MLCs, Congress 28, JDS 14, one independent and chairman. Shetty was elected as the Chairman when the Congress-JDS coalition government was in power.
The BJP has already issued a notice to move a no-confidence motion against Shetty in the winter session of the state legislature starting from December 7.
The no-confidence motion is likely to be moved on December 8, the second day of the session and the BJP has reportedly managed to garner support from the JDS.
It is said that the BJP had decided to officiate Deputy Chairman S L Dharme Gowda as the chairman during the session.
Election of the new chairman will be decided after senior leaders from JDS and BJP hold discussions, the sources added.
The BJP decided to oust Shetty after bills like amendment to Karnataka Land Reforms Act, APMC and Industrial Disputes Bill etc failed to pass through the Upper House where the combined strength of the Congress and the JDS is more than that of the BJP.
It may be recalled that the Council was adjourned on last day of the Monsoon session when these issues were being discussed.
However, the JDS leaders have said that they will support only the no-confidence motion in the Council, while their decision whether to support the rest of the issues such as amendment to the Land Reforms Act, APMC bill etc or not will be taken only keeping the best interest of the people in mind.