ENS

Bangalore, Jun 3: Senior BJP leader Jagadish Shettar who had raised a banner of revolt after being denied a ministerial berth, is said to have agreed to don the Speaker's role in the 13th legislative assembly.

BJP national leaders who summoned Shettar on Monday morning to Delhi, have succeeded in persuading him to accept the Speaker's post after two hours of heated discussions.

In a closed-door meeting held at BJP national general secretary H N Ananthkumar's residence, BJP national leader Arun Jaitley, MP from Hubli North Prahlad Joshi and RSS leader Vamanachar convinced Shettar on why he was chosen for the Speaker's post.

The leaders also explained the need for a senior and dynamic leader to conduct the proceedings of the Assembly where the opposition is strong and the BJP has a wafer-thin majority.

According to sources, Shettar has been asked to accept the post for at least a year. Shettar told reporters that he would abide by the decision of the Central leadership on whether or not he should be inducted into the Cabinet.

"I leave the decision to our Central leaders. I will abide by whatever decision they take," Shettar told reporters.

Further he said, the simmering dissent would damage the image of the party not only in Karnataka but throughout the country, and he was confident that the national leaders would take suitable decision in the larger interest of the party.