Party executive committee to pass resolution today to give LoP charge to Mohansinh Rathwa
Following the resignation of Shankersinh Vaghela, the Gujarat Congress has called a high-level meeting of its executive committee members on Tuesday to discuss the issue of Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly.
DNA had reported earlier that till the new LoP is decided by the party high command, senior Congress MLA Mohansinh Rathwa, who is already serving as the deputy LoP, would be given the charge of LoP. Rathwa, a tribal leader, is an eight-time MLA who represents Chhota Udepur seat.
During the meeting on Tuesday, the party would pass a resolution to appoint Rathwa as in-charge LoP till observers arrive from Delhi to scrutinise and appoint the new LoP.
As of now, four names are being discussed as the likely candidates. It include former leader of opposition Shaktisinh Gohil, Amreli MLA Paresh Dhanani (from Patidar community), Danilimda MLA Shailesh Parmar (from Dalit community) and Khedbrahma MLA Ashwin Kotwal (from tribal community).
Sources said Dhanani is the frontrunner among all the others candidates for the post of LoP.
Talking to a news agency, Senior Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar, said, “We have called a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the issue of LoP. We will pass a resolution to hand over the powers of deciding the next LoP to the high command.”
Parmar said, “The state unit will accept whatever decision the high command takes about LoP.”
He added, “Since it is mandatory to call the Assembly session within six months of the completion of previous session, monsoon session is expected to be held in October. If Assembly polls are declared earlier, the state government may not call the monsoon session in September- October. If polls are declared in December, then the House may meet.”
Vaghela, who had announced to quit the Congress three days ago, resigned as the LoP and sent his resignation letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday.
—With PTI inputs
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