BJP buys time to name leader of opposition

Ranchi: Post-cabinet expansion, all eyes are now on the opposition BJP to appoint its leader of opposition ahead of the special assembly session starting Monday. While the BJP convened a meeting of its MLAs on Sunday evening to brace for the upcoming session, sources maintained that the party high command does not want to hurry in naming the leader of opposition. The state BJP president Babulal Marandi, who is currently in Delhi, is set to return Sunday morning. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Sinha confirmed the scheduled meeting of the MLAs. "All MLAs have been called to Ranchi for a meeting ahead of the special session from Monday. Possibly, deliberations on the potential leader of opposition will also be done and proposed to the Centre," he said.Earlier, leader of opposition Amar Kumar Bauri lost elections from Chandankyari this time. On the other hand, the BJP under Marandi's leadership did not do well in Lok Sabha and assembly polls, mainly on tribal seats. Considering his seniority and being a former CM, Marandi could be among the faces in contention for the opposition leader's post. Many within the party suspected if he would be given a further role. Besides Marandi, former CM Champai Soren is the only tribal MLA in the BJP folder at present. A BJP insider claimed that the party may look beyond a tribal face for the post of opposition leader. "Despite heavy tribal outreach, the party failed to yield rich dividends in the polls. Possibly, a non-tribal could now be given the job of leader of opposition. Last time, the party propped a tribal face as party president (Babulal) while Amar Bauri, from the SC quota, was made leader of opposition," he said. "C P Singh, who is a seven-time MLA from Ranchi, is being projected by many for the LoP's role. He has been a speaker in the past and a veteran lawmaker, who can take on the govt based on issues, both in and outside the assembly," said another party worker. Similarly, Congress, part of the ruling coalition govt in the state, too is still jostling to name the leader of its legislative party. Of the 16 MLAs, the party has accommodated four as ministers in the Hemant Soren cabinet. Of the remaining 12, former finance minister and Lohardaga MLA Rameshwar Oraon and Poryehat MLA Pradeep Yadav are said to be front runners for the post. State Congress President Keshav Mahto Kamlesh reiterated that the party high command was authorised to take a call.
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