Pro tem Speaker KG Bopaiah had helped BS Yeddyurappa survive in 2011

Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to appoint a four-time lawmaker from Virajpet constituency KG Bopaiah (62), who is a close confidant of Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, as a Pro tem Speaker of the state Assembly has sparked a controversy.

Bopaiah had served as Pro term Speaker after the BJP victory in 2008 and administered oath of office to all members of the state assembly. Later, he was elected on December 30, 2009 as the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly following the resignation of the previous Speaker, Jagadish Shettar.

During his tenure as Speaker, Bopaiah had disqualified 11 BJP legislators when they had staged rebellion after Yeddyurappa was charged in a mining scam. Similarly, he had also disqualified five independent legislators, who had withdrawn their support to the BJP government ahead of a trust vote. Bopaiah's move had helped Yeddyurappa government to survive in 2011.

Although his decision was upheld by the Karnataka High Court, it was overturned by the Supreme Court which criticised the Speaker for the haste with which he had acted during the trust vote.

Incidentally, Governor administered oath to Bopaiah at the Raj Bhavan. Governor had picked up Bopaiah over eight-time legislator and veteran Congress leader RV Deshpande and senior BJP legislator Umesh Katti. These names were recommended by the state assembly secretariat to the Governor.

Bopaiah's appointment was strongly defended by BJP leader and Union minister Prakash Javadekar and host of party leaders. Javadekar said, "That time Bopaiah was 10 years younger than what he is today. Congress is thus raising a hoax objection. The appointment of Bopaiah ji is as per rules and regulations."

Congress and JD(S) have slammed the BJP and criticised Governor's move to appoint Bopaiah as Pro tem Speaker. Congress MP Abhishekh Manu Singhvi said Bopaiah's appointment was against the rule book. "Ideally the senior-most leader is supposed to hold that position."

Singhvi observed that Deshpande should have been appointed according to established traditions.

Karnataka Congress leader Dinesh Gundurao alleged that the Governor was acting like BJP's agent and termed decision was ''shocking.''

Janata Dal (S) leader Danish Ali attacked BJP for appointing Bopaiah as interim speaker and alleged that BJP wanted to capture power by hook or crook