Bhubaneswar: A day ahead of the first session of the 16th Odisha Assembly, BJP national president Amit Shah on Monday named Bhawanipatna MLA Pradipta Kumar Naik as the leader of the legislature party.
On Sunday, the MLAs at the BJP legislature party meeting, in the presence of national general secretary and central observer Saroj Pandey, here had unanimously authorised Shah to take a decision in this regard.
Since the BJP has emerged as the main Opposition in Odisha after the elections, it will now stake claim for the post of Leader of Opposition (LoP).
BJP insiders said a powerful section within the party ensured Nayak got the coveted position, ahead of Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra. Mishra was earlier suspended from the party and is believed not to enjoy the best of relationship with a powerful coterie within the party.
