Former Cabinet minister Gopal Bhargava was named Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh on Monday, ending days of speculation on who would represent the BJP in the Assembly.
The veteran leader’s name was announced by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh after a BJP legislative party meeting in the evening. Former legislative affairs minister Narottam Mishra was a strong contender for the post.
Singh claimed that Bhargava’s choice was unanimous and his name was proposed by former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and seconded by Mishra. Mishra, also the government spokesperson, left in a hurry and was not present when Bhargava’s name was officially announced.
A few days ago, Chouhan had publicly ruled himself out of the post after being given to understand that the high command was not in favour of him taking up the responsibility.
Sources said that the party decided on a Brahmin for the post after getting feedback from certain quarters that one of the reasons behind the BJP’s defeat was resentment among upper castes.
BJP to contest Speaker’s post
The BJP Monday decided to contest the Assembly Speaker’s post, arguing that it was doing so in protest against the decision not to appoint a senior MLA as protem speaker. Deepak Saxena, Congress MLA from Chhindwara, took oath as Protem Speaker on January 2.
Former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said a tradition had been broken because there were many legislators, including those in the Congress, senior to Saxena.
Former school education minister Vijay Shah has filed his nomination for the Speaker’s post, election for which will be on Tuesday.