Raje Steps down as Leader of Opposition

Ahead of the start of budget session, BJP leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje has resigned as Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly following a meeting of the BJP legislature party, said media reports.

Raje defied the party high command for months to quit from the post in the wake of party’s poor performance in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections and sent her resignation to it on October 23 last year but it was not forwarded to Speaker Deependra Singh Shekhawat.

BJP whip RS Rathore said that Raje submitted her resignation to the Speaker in the morning, said report.

According to Rathore, a new leader of opposition will be elected within a week after consultations with the party high command, report said.

He said that senior party leaders would come to Jaipur in a day or two and talk to them to evolve a consequence on the issue of new leadership, said report.

“Till then, the Deputy Leader of the party Ghanshyam Tiwari will lead the opposition,” he was quoted as saying.

Quoting Raje’s resignation letter, Rathore said she would remain a ‘disciplined worker of the party and continue to raise public voice in the House.

“Raje as a Leader of Opposition fulfilled her Constitutional obligations and responsibilities in the House since 2008,” he was quoted as saying.