New Delhi would announce the name of leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh Assembly most probably before the first session of the 14th Assembly of the State that commences from January 8.
Suspension over the name of the leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh Assembly continues as the All India Congress Committee (AICC) observers failed to arrive at consensus on single name for the same.
Over four hour long meeting attended by two AICC observers Oscar Fernandes and CP Joshi besides Congress general secretary in-charge for the state Mohan Prakash, Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Kantilal Bhuria and the newly elected legislators could not arrive at consensus and the decision was left on the Congress high command for final say. The meeting ended without any result though the AICC observers also hold one to one discussions with the party legislators and in the last a single line resolution was passed authorising party president Sonia Gandhi for naming the new leader of opposition.
Sources from the Congress informed that former leader of opposition Ajay Singh and Mahendra Singh Kalukheda emerged as the frontrunners for the post. Kalukheda is close confidant of union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and also has the blessings of another union minister Kamalnath while Ajay Singh is having the support of Congress general secretary and former chief minister of the state Digvijay Singh and MPCC president Kantilal Bhuria.
Party sources said if selection is made through MlAs’ opinions, it would certainly go in favour of Ajay Singh. And if, the party high command has decided to appoint him new MPCC chief, then the ClP leader will be from Scindia camp only to make balance between different groups of the party. The Congress has 58 members in the house of 230 in Madhya Pradesh.