Cong's Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil appointed LoP in Maharashtra Assembly

Nagpur, Dec 23: Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil of the Congress was on Tuesday appointed as Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Haribhau Bagde in a suo moto statement made the announcement in the Lower House and installed Patil as LoP.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena group leader and Minister Eknath Shinde, NCP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar and senior most Member Ganparao Deshmukh escorted Vikhe Patil to his Chair.

The Speaker while making the announcement said, he had received letter from Pradesh Congress President Manikrao Thakre and Vikhe Patil himself claiming the post. Similarly NCP State President, Sunil Tatkare and Pawar had recommended the name of former Home Minister R R Patil but the Speaker, after soliciting legal opinion from experts and also from the Advocate General of Maharashtra, came to the conclusion of naming Vikhe Patil as LoP.

The announcement was greeted by thumping of desks from both treasury and opposition benches. Fadnavis while extending compliments and congratulating Vikhe Patil said in a democratic set up, the post of LoP was important and he hoped that Vikhe Patil will perform his duties in an efficient manner.

Jayant Patil (NCP) and Ganpatrao Deshmukh (PWP) also congratulated the LoP. In his reply, Vikhe Patil assured to live up to the expectations of the members and the House.

His opposition will not be for the sake of opposition, he told the House. Speaker also complimented Vikhe Patil for his elevation and said he (Speaker) was happy to hear Vikhe Patil's views.

PTI