Bharatiya Janta Party has elected Udaipur MLA and former home minister Gulab Chand Kataria as the leader of Opposition in the Rajasthan assembly. The decision was taken at the first meeting of the state BJP legislative party on Sunday.

Former parliamentary affairs minister and Churu MLA Rajendra Rathore was nominated as his deputy at the same meeting, which was held at the state party headquarters in the presence of former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, BJP’s national general secretary, and other senior leaders.

The move has further strengthened speculations about Raje’s restricted role in state politics and the party’s decision to involve her at the national level. It is strongly believed that the party high command is keen on Raje contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, creating a space for a leadership change within the state BJP.

Read more: Congress’ hasty farm loan waiver now a SCAM?

Former CM proposed Kataria’s name

Former CM Raje proposed the name of 74-year-old Kataria for the Leader of Opposition at the Sunday’s meeting which was unanimously seconded by the MLAs. While he is an 8-time MLA, Rathore is a 7-time MLA.

After being elected, Kataria addressed other party leaders, said ‘We will play the role of a dedicated opposition for the next five years, be the voice of people in the state. We will also work on the shortcomings that restricted us from getting the required number of seats and try to win all the 25 seats in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.’ Kataria will also be the pro-tem speaker to conduct the first meeting of the new assembly.

National general secretary Arun Singh said there was only one proposal for the post. ‘The Congress has formed the government in the state but it does not have a clear mandate. There is a need to keep a check on the government which has made tall promises. While confusion prevails on its announcement of farm loan waiver of up to Rs 2 Lakh, it has not announced when it will start providing the allowance to unemployed youth.’ Singh said.