Karnataka Congress faces dissent as Jayachandra refuses pro tem speaker post

Senior Congress leader TB Jayachandra has refused the pro tem speaker post after being denied a ministerial berth, deepening dissent within the Karnataka Congress over cabinet expansion and regional representation. Jayachandra stated he is not interested in the role, with MLAs advising him against accepting it. Party functionaries are trying to convince him, as the governor had appointed him effective Aug 3. The speaker and deputy speaker posts remain vacant ahead of the monsoon session starting Aug 13. Legislators from Kolar and Chikkaballapur accused party brass of ignoring their districts despite electing seven MLAs, with seniors demanding explanations. Meanwhile, urban development minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah dismissed speculation over former CM Siddaramaiah's absence from the swearing-in ceremony, attributing it to birthday engagements.