Maharashtra Governor Appoints BJP's Kolambkar As Assembly Pro-Tem Speaker

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Tuesday appointed BJP MLA Kalidas Kolambkar as pro-tem Speaker of the Assembly.

Eight-time Wadala MLA Kolambkar was one of the candidates recommended for the post to the governor.

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"The governor has administered the oath to Kolambkar as pro-tem speaker of the assembly. Kolambkar will administer the oath to remaining 287 MLAs during the assembly session," said an official from Raj Bhavan.

Earlier in the day, ordering a floor test for the Devendra Fadnavis government, the Supreme Court asked Koshyari to appoint a pro-tem speaker and ensure all elected members of the House are sworn in on Wednesday.

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However, it was followed by Chief Minister Fadnavis and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar resigning from the four-day-old government.

The Governor B. S. Koshyari was required to appoint and swear-in the Pro-Tem Speaker, who, in turn, will administer the oath of office to all the newly-elected MLAs of the 14th Legislative Assembly.

According to sources, the BJP had submitted a list of 17 senior MLAs to the Raj Bhavan for the post of pro-tem speaker.

The list also includes the names of the Congress, the NCP and Shiv Sena MLAs. Balasaheb Thorat of the Congress is said to be the most senior with eight terms behind him.

However, the Governor has the powers to appoint a pro-tem speaker at his own discretion.

(With PTI Inputs)