Ramanlal Vora was on Monday elected unopposed Assembly Speaker on Monday. Mr. Vora, a prominent Dalit face of Gujarat BJP, was earlier a cabinet minister in the government for 15 years but was recently dropped when Vijay Rupani took over as Chief Minister succeeding Anandiben Patel.
On Monday, when the Assembly convened on the first day of two-day monsoon session, Mr. Vora's name was proposed by Chief Minister Rupani and was seconded by the Leader of the Opposition Shankersinh Vaghela.
Another BJP leader Shambhuji Thakor was elected as Deputy Speaker after voice vote, as Congress had fielded woman legislator Chandrika Bariya in a token fight.
Meanwhile, the Assembly was adjourned after paying tributes to Swaminarayan sect's Pramukh Swamy, who passed away recently, and other former members.
Chief Minister Rupani, Leader of the Opposition Shankersinh Vaghela and other members of both parties paid tributes to Pramukh Swamy, whose contribution in social service and humanity is unparalleled.
On Tuesday, the Assembly will ratify the Goods and Service Tax (GST) bill for Constitutional Amendment.
