Rajasthan BJP yet to decide on Leader of Opposition

Two weeks have passed since the results for the Assembly elections were declared, but the situation is not clear as to who will be the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly so far. 

There has not been a single meeting of newly elected MLAs of the BJP yet. It is being said that the meeting of the BJP Legislature Party may be held on December 30 or 31 but in this meeting the Leader of the Opposition will not be decided.

During the tenure of the previous Ashok Gehlot government, former chief minister Vasundhara Raje was the LoP in the Assembly. Outgoing chief minister Raje is the front-runner for the post of LoP in the BJP this time too.

 Apart from Raje, the name of former minister for Parliamentary Affairs Rajendra Rathore and former Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria is also being discussed. If Raje refuses to become LoP, then some other leader’s name might be considered. 

It is being discussed that Raje may contest the Lok Sabha election from Jhalawar and that is why this time, some other BJP MLA could be made LoP. Names of Rathore and Kataria are being discussed. Rathore is a sharp and firebrand leader and is considered to be BJP’s troubleshooter in the Assembly. Thus Rathore can be made LoP for a stronger Opposition in the House.

Similarly, Kataria is a senior BJP leader and is considered as number two leader in the state BJP. Kataria has been elected MLA for the 7th time from Udaipur. Looking at his experience, he may be LoP. 

“The party has not yet decided about the meeting of the legislator party. It may be held by December end and will be an interactive meeting. There will be no discussion on LoP”,  a BJP MLA told DNA.