Patna: Ruling JD(U) candidate Devesh Chandra Thakur has declared elected unopposed on Thursday to the post of Bihar Legislative Council Chairman.
His unopposed election to the post of Bihar Legislative Council Chairman was announced by Acting Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh in the special session of the state legislative council during the day. After the announcement, Thakur took the charges from Singh.
While announcing the uncontested election of Thakur to the post, Singh also announced recognizing BJP MLC Samrat Chaudhary as opposition leader in the Upper House.
Extending his gratitude towards the members of the house, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav, and others the new Chairman Devesh Chandra Thakur outlined the glorious history of the Upper House which had provided the voting right to women in 1921 by passing a bill.
Highlighting the role of public representatives in the democracy Thakur expressed hope that the opposition, as well as the ruling, would constructively discharge their responsibilities to maintain the dignity and sanctity of the parliamentary norms.
Referring to a quote from the former President of India Abdul Kalam he said that once Kalam had stated that politics has developed a lot and now all political parties should come together for the sake of development.
During his address, Thakur hoped that the members would maintain discipline, and ethics and follow the laid rules for making the House more relevant.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar welcomed the new chairman and expressed his confidence that Devesh Chandra Thakur would run the house keeping in mind the interest of both the ruling and opposition.
Nitish Kumar also extended his thanks to the former Acting chairman Awdhesh Narayan Singh for his unmatchable performance while running the House.
The newly appointed opposition leader in the Upper House Samrat Chaudhari congratulated Devesh Chandra Thakur and assured full cooperation of the opposition in protecting dignity.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejasvi Prasad Yadav welcomed the new Chairman and said that Thakur was an experienced and committed person with a clean image. He hoped that the House would function in the interest of poor, oppressed sections of the society and protect the democracy under the chairmanship of Thakur.
Parliamentary affairs minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary and leaders of various political parties also welcomed the new Chairman and expressed their gratitude towards the former acting chairman Avdhesh Narayan Singh.