Speaker''s objections notwithstanding, Rajasthan session to begin on Jan 15

Yash Goyal
Our Correspondent
Jaipur, January 10 

Rajasthan’s Raj Bhawan announced on Thursday that the first session of the 15th state assembly would begin on January 15 despite outgoing Speaker Kailash Meghwal's objections.

The session will begin with the new assembly being sworn in.

“Advocate General Mahendra Singh Singhvi and Chief Secretary B D Gupta have discussed the issue with the Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh. Assembly Secretary Dinesh Chand Jain has been told to prepare for the session,” a Raj Bhawan spokesman said.

Veteran BJP legislator G C Kataria will administer oath of office to a protem speaker at the Raj Bhawan on January 14. The protem speaker will oversee the swearing-in of the new assembly on January 15 and 16.  

A new speaker will be elected before the Governor's address on January 17. 

Outgoing Speaker Meghwal had refused to call first session of the 15th assembly despite Governor Kalyan Singh’s orders, accusing the Congress government in the state of taking the decision without consulting him first. 

Meanwhile, the BJP decided to hold off a legislative meeting to elect its leader until January 13, when they will be joined by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.