Deputy Chairman Manikrao quits post

Nagpur: The resignation of Legislative Council deputy chairman Manikrao Thakre on Wednesday triggered speculation in the corridors of power as his term was to get over on July 26.

 With his resignation, the BJP-led government is likely to offer the post to ally, Shiv Sena.

The Congress had refused Mr Thakre a ticket for the elections held recently for 11 seats in the Legislative Council, on grounds that he might be the party’s candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

After the new arithmetic that has emerged in the Council however, BJP will be the single largest party with 19 members after July 27, and considering Shiv Sena members and BJP-supporting smaller parties and independents, the strength of BJP-Shiv Sena will touch 39 to 40 while the Congress and NCP will have 17 members each.

Chairman Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar belongs to NCP while  the deputy chairman belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). If BJP wants the chairman’s post, it will have to bring a no-confidence motion, which is possible only in the winter session.

With the post of deputy chairman vacant, the successor will now depend upon when the election is held.