Col Inder Singh, Bragta vie for Speaker’s post

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 20

Col Inder Singh (retd) and Narinder Bragta have emerged as front-runners for the post of Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, election for which is to be held on February 26. The Budget Session will commence on February 25 with the Governor’s Address.

Hectic lobbying is on among MLAs for a Cabinet berth. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur is likely to consider regional and caste factors while ‘rewarding’ the MLAs, say sources. The post of Speaker fell vacant after Rajeev Bindal was appointed state BJP president. There is talk of a minister being made Speaker with the name of Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Rajeev Sehjal doing the rounds. If this happens, there could be a reshuffle in portfolios.

For a place in the ministry, Nurpur MLA Rakesh Pathania remains the key contender. Also in the race are Paonta Sahib MLA Sukh Ram Chaudhary and Bhattiyat MLA Vikram Jaryal.