Udupi: Senior member of the Upper House Pratap Chandra Shetty is likely to be elected as the Legislative Council Chairman as he is the only candidate contested for the post.

On Tuesday, Pratap Chandra Shetty, along with Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwar, KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, MLCs Ravi, Ivan D’Souza and other leaders, filed his nomination papers for the post to Legislative Council Secretary KR Mahalakshmi. Since no other candidate has filed nomination papers for the post, his election to the post is almost certain and he would continue in the post till 2022.

In the Upper House, the Congress has the majority. If the election is conducted, the Congress would get the posts of Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Chief Whip. Since there is a coalition administration, the Congress may give up other two posts to its coalition partner JDS. But Basavaraj Horatti and SR Patil who expected to get the positions were disappointed with this development.

Speaking to reporters after filing his nomination papers, Pratap Chandra Shetty said that the party has given him the opportunity considering his seniority and experience. “I was as the MLA for four times and MLC as three times. I have not expected the Chairman post. But I would like to thank all the party functionaries for selecting me for this post”, he said.