Speaker of Legislative Assembly U.T. Khader said on Wednesday (May 6, 2026) that he is not intentionally delaying administration of oath to D.N. Jeevaraj, who has been elected to the Assembly from Sringeri constituency. As circumstances of his election to the Assembly is unique, the Speaker will have to study the legislative procedure, legal aspects and associated technical issues related to the administration of oath, Mr. Khader said.

Talking to reporters, Mr. Khader said none approached him on May 4, 2026, a day after Mr. Jeevaraj was declared winner by the Election Commission. The application seeking time to administer oath was filed by Mr. Jeevaraj on May 5, 2026.

The parliamentary system of democracy runs on trust, Mr. Khader said, adding that Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka and Mr. Jeevaraj approached Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on May 5, and needlessly accused him (Speaker) of delaying administration of oath.

“I spoke to the Governor and put out my point of view,” Mr. Khader said. By accusing him (Mr. Khader) of delaying administration of oath, Mr. Ashok and Mr. Jeevaraj have created an impression of mistrust in public about the office of the Speaker. Mr. Ashok and Mr. Jeevaraj do not have paitence to wait for my decision on the latter’s application, he said.

ECI must act to avoid ‘faux pas’

The Election Commission of India has to seriously look into faux pas related to counting of postal ballot votes. “Action should be taken against officials responsible for faulty counting of postal ballots. The officials should be held accountable. The ECI has to take action to ensure that such a scenario does not occur in future,” the Speaker said.

Mr. Khader said the first meeting of the committee formed by the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, on framing common procedures for State Assemblies, will be held in Mysuru on May 12 and 13. This five-member committee of Speakers of State Assemblies will be headed by Uttar Pradesh Speaker Satish Mahana. The scenario arising out of Mr. Jeevaraj’s election will be discussed in the meeting, Mr. Khader said.