Five-time MLA U T Khader set to become Speaker; to file nomination today

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2 years ago News Desk

Bengaluru: In all probabilities, five-time Legislator from Mangaluru U T Khader would be the new Speaker of the 16th Assembly. He is expected to file the nomination papers on Tuesday at 11.30 am as the process of electing a new speaker should be complete by May 24.

With no senior leaders including R V Deshpande, H K Patil or even T B Jayachandra is not keen to take on the new role and are reportedly expecting a portfolio, the Congress has decided to elect U T Khader for the Speaker’s post. State Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala and AICC national general secretary K C Venugopal have met Khader and are having discussions with Khader.

It is reported that Deshpande, who is the senior legislator having won 9 times from a single constituency – Haliyal – was not keen on taking up the responsibility, citing health reasons. Later, another leader H K Patil too has reportedly rejected the offer. Even Aland Legislator B R Patil too was not interested to accept the Speaker post. Hence, the Congress approached Khader.

Born on 12 October, 1969, U T Abdul Khader Farid is the son of former legislator U T Farid. He completed his primary education from St Aloysious and degree from Mahaveer College in Moodbidri. He graduated in BA and LLB from SDM College.

Following his father and legislator U T Farid’s demise, he contested in by election and won in 2008. From then on he has been winning for five terms. His exemplary service as an MLA won him Shining India Award.

In 2013, he served as a health minister during the Siddaramaiah government. During his stint, he banned the sale of Gutka in the State and introduced several health measures including bike ambulance, 108 Arogya Shri, dialysis units in government hospitals and other such revolutionary measures drawing the attention of the Central government. During this period, he was awarded as the Best Health Minister by the Central government.

During his stint as Food and Civil Supplies Minister from 2016 to 2018, he cut down the tedious process of applying for ration cards and simplified the system by enabling the BPL families to apply through the Aadhaar system. This is considered as a revolutionary move as this enabled lakhs of BPL families to own the BPL cards.

-Team Mysoorunews