JAIPUR: CP Joshi was unanimously elected speaker of the 15th Rajasthan legislative assembly on Wednesday. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot proposed Joshi’s name and it was seconded by leader of opposition Gulab Chand Kataria.
Joshi, 68, the former Union minister who was also the state unit president of Congress, was elected from Nathdwara constituency in the assembly elections held last month.
Deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot also proposed Joshi’s name which was seconded by former chief minister Vasundhara Raje.
Deputy leader of opposition in the assembly Rajendra Rathore, independent MLAS Mahadev Singh Khandela and Kanti Prasad, CPI(M) MLA Balwan Poonia, and BSP MLA Rajendra Singh Gudha also proposed Joshi’s name. Congress’ Mahesh Joshi, independents Alok Beniwal and Babu Lal Nagar, CPI(M)’S Girdhari Lal and Rashtriya Lok Tantrik Party’s Hanuman Beniwal seconded Joshi’s name.
Gehlot congratulated Joshi on behalf of the House, noting that Joshi’s ties with the assembly go back 38 years.
In his congratulatory speech, Kataria said Joshi’s long experience in political life would help him in running the House.
CPI(M)’S Bhagwan Poonia said that the speaker should give members belonging to smaller parties more time to speak in the House as they have won “after defeating the bigger parties”.
He also raised the issue of allotment of residential houses to some MLAS by the former speaker.
Joshi thanked the members and said the House should debate and discuss issues that concern the people.
He said he hoped members would work together to create “a new Rajasthan”.
