4 to 5 aspirants in race for the post of Leader of Opposition in Assembly in Karnataka: R Ashoka
Bengaluru, Nov 16: Senior BJP MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka on Thursday said he along with four to five other legislators are aspirants for the post of Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, and whoever is elected, will be acceptable to everyone.
The BJP Legislature Party meeting is scheduled for Friday, during which the election of its leader, who will also be the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, is likely to be announced.
"I don't know, the party has to decide. Whoever the party decides, will get the post. None of us have filed an application, such a culture is not there in our party," Ashoka said in response to a question on his name along with MLAs -- Sunil Kumar, Ashwath Narayan and Araga Jnanendra -- doing the rounds for the post.
Speaking to reporters here, he pointed at B Y Vijayendra's recent appointment as Karnataka BJP President, and said, "you know how that appointment was announced, similarly Leader of Opposition is also an important post, as one has to lead the party booth inside and outside the Assembly. Taking all this into account, a leader will be announced at the legislature party meeting tomorrow in the presence of central observers."
The BJP central leadership made the announcement on the appointment of Vijayendra, the younger son of veteran leader and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, last week.
Noting that the central leadership opinion gathered the opinion of Legislators and core committee members two months ago, Ashoka said, whoever becomes the leader, no one will have any objection.
Stating that he is aware of the fact that his name too was doing rounds, he said, "there are four to five aspirants including me. Our only objective is Narendra Modi should become Prime Minister once again, so without any confusion or hindrance the new leader will be elected. I spoke to (V) Sunil Kumar, (C N) Ashwath Narayan yesterday. Whoever becomes the leader, no objection. Party is great, Modi as PM once again -- is our slogan."
The BJP, which is the principal opposition party in the state, is yet to appoint its legislature party leader, who will also play the role of the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly.
The previous Assembly session in July was held without the Leader of the Opposition.
In the elections to the 224-member assembly held in May this year, the Congress ousted the BJP from power with a landslide victory. The Congress got 135 seats, the BJP 66 and the JD(S) 19.
The BJP legislature party meeting to elect its new leader is taking place ahead of the winter session of the state legislature in Belagavi, from December 4.
The party had been facing intense criticism from the ruling Congress for its inability to make an appointment to the post, and there was also some disgruntlement within the party over the delay.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Vijay unable to prove majority, not invited for CM oath ceremony: Sources
Chennai: Actor-politician Vijay has reportedly not been invited to take oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after failing to demonstrate support from the required number of MLAs, sources in Raj Bhavan said.
According to media reports that quoted sources in the office of R.N. Ravi Arlekar, Vijay could not prove the backing of 118 legislators, the majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Despite last-minute efforts to secure support from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazagam (AMMK), and an IUML legislator, Vijay reportedly managed support from only 116 MLAs, falling short by two members.
Sources said Vijay failed to submit letters of support from the VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Later, the IUML issued a statement clarifying that it was not part of the TVK-led alliance.
Meanwhile, AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran is also said to have informed the Governor that his party would support the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) instead.
Earlier in the evening, Vijay had met Governor Arlekar and staked claim to form the government, stating that he enjoyed the support of 118 MLAs.
