Congress MLA and Sarguja royal family scion T S Singhdeo was elected as Leader of the Opposition in Chhattisgarh Assembly here today.
A second consecutive time legislator from Sarguja seat, Singhdeo was unanimously elected to the Congress Legislative Party.
This development was announced by All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary and state in charge B K Hariprasad after the party's legislators met here today in the presence of central observers like AICC general secretaries Ambika Soni and Ajay Maken.
Renu Jogi, wife of the former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi, who is the MLA from the Kota seat, was made deputy leader of opposition, while newly elected MLA from Bastar, Lakheshwar Baghel has been made the party's chief whip.
Soon after his elevation, Singhdeo targeted the ruling BJP for the May 25 Darbha Maoist attack in which Congress leaders were killed and demanded a white paper on actions being taken by the state government after the incident.
He also demanded that the probe reports of both the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) and the state-constituted judicial commission into the incident should be made public.
"The state government should issue a white paper on steps taken in connection with Jiram Valley attack and also clearly elaborate the information it has given to the probe agency NIA in this connection," Singhdeo told reporters.
Assuring that farmers' issues would be taken up during the session starting next week, he said, "We will fight for the right of the farmers and demand that the state government fulfil its promises to provide Rs 2,100 per quintal support price and Rs 300 per quintal bonus to farmers for their paddy".
"We will play the role of a strong opposition and take up the issue of public welfare in the house," he said, extending his gratitude to the party's national leaders.
