BJP nominates Ranjit for speaker's post

Guwahati: The BJP legislature party in its first meeting on Wednesday nominated journalist-turned-politician, Ranjit Das as the ruling alliance's candidate for the post of speaker of the legislative assembly. The speaker is scheduled to be elected on the opening day of the newly formed 14th assembly in its first sitting on Wednesday.

Das, who has won for the second straight term from Sorbhog constituency on BJP ticket in Muslim-dominated Barpeta district, is sure to sail through as the alliance has an overwhelming majority. BJP, however, wants Das to be the unanimous choice of the entire house. Health and education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "AGP and AIUDF have given us their support. We will be talking with leaders of Congress and AIUDF for supporting our candidate." The BJP legislature party also proposed senior legislator and former AGP minister Hitendra Nath Goswami be made its chief whip. Sarma said chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has been authorized by the BJP legislature party to nominate the candidate for the post of deputy speaker.