Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Dec 10: Deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi, who was defeated by Mahesh Kumathalli in Athani constituency in the general election, and had to canvass for his rival in the bypoll after Kumathalli crossed over to the BJP, has got good news in the election of Congress candidate, Rizwan Arshad, from Shivajinagar constituency.

Rizwan, a Congress candidate, is also a member of the legislative council. He will have to resign that position in order to become MLA. Savadi is compelled to become either MLA or MLC if he has to retain his berth in the state ministry. Now, with the election of Rizwan, a seat has fallen vacant in the legislative council, which Savadi can easily fill, as he has the backing of requisite number of MLAs.

A person administered oath as minister needs to be a member of the assembly or council. If he is not, he needs to be elected to one of these positions within six months. In case of Savadi, this period will expire shortly.

The chief minister, as per his assurance, is also under compulsion to accommodate R Shankar, who represented Ranebennur constituency before being disqualified, and who was denied a ticket for the bypoll. However, there is no immediate hurry to do that, it is learnt.