Oath Taking Ceremony
Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader administered the oath of office to Bharatiya Janata Party's newly elected member from Sringeri, D N Jeevaraj, on Tuesday. The ceremony took place at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, marking Jeevaraj's formal entry into the state legislature after his recent bypoll victory.
Speaker's Clarification
Following the oath ceremony, Speaker Khader addressed the media, clarifying the role of the governor in the matter. He stated that the governor had not issued any 'direction' regarding the administration of the oath. Instead, the governor merely informed him about an appeal made by the BJP leadership requesting the swearing-in. Khader emphasized that he acted within his constitutional powers and discretion.
The Speaker further explained that the process was conducted smoothly and in accordance with established legislative norms. He said, "The governor shared the BJP's appeal with me, but there was no directive. I took the decision independently, as per the rules."
Political Context
D N Jeevaraj won the Sringeri bypoll held on April 30, 2026, securing a significant victory for the BJP in the Malnad region. The bypoll was necessitated after the previous MLA resigned following his election to the Lok Sabha. Jeevaraj's victory is seen as a boost for the BJP's presence in Karnataka's coastal and hill districts.
The opposition Congress party had earlier raised questions about the timing of the oath, but Khader's clarification is expected to put those speculations to rest. Jeevaraj, a seasoned politician, expressed gratitude to the Speaker and the party for their support.
Next Steps
With the oath completed, Jeevaraj is now eligible to participate in the ongoing budget session of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. He is expected to raise issues related to infrastructure and development in the Sringeri constituency.
