Bengaluru: Dr Rahul V Karad, Founder of the National Legislators' Conference Bharat (NLC Bharat), was felicitated on Friday at the 11th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Conference hosted by the Karnataka Legislative Assembly at Vidhana Soudha.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, along with Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Assembly Speaker U T Khader, felicitated Karad for his efforts in strengthening democratic dialogue.

Addressing the gathering, Horatti lauded Karad's contributions, noting that while legislatures are the constitutional custodians of democracy, initiatives like NLC Bharat serve as vital complements by fostering dialogue, capacity building and international collaboration. He observed that public-private partnerships, successful in many fields, could also play a meaningful role in enriching democracy.

Established under Karad's leadership, NLC Bharat has emerged as a platform bringing together legislators from all states to deliberate on issues of governance and development. Its inaugural conference in Mumbai in June 2023 saw the participation of over 1,800 legislators. More recently, the initiative organised an international capacity enhancement programme in Boston, USA, for 130 Indian legislators representing 21 political parties and 24 states.

The felicitation ceremony was attended by Speakers, Deputy Speakers, Chairpersons and Secretaries of various state legislatures, besides senior Lok Sabha Secretariat officials. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by the CPA Karnataka Branch Secretary followed by a banquet for delegates.