Finally Dharam Kaushik new Speaker

     Raipur, December 22, 2008: The post of Speaker would again go to the Bilaspur district as Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh today said Dharam Kaushik would be the new Speaker of the state Assembly.

     Singh had a tough time on selecting the person, who would become the Presiding Officer of the 90-member state assembly.

     Initially the name of Chandrasekhar Sahu was finalised but the Abhanpur MLA said he wanted to become Minister.

     Secondly on advice of BJP state In Charge Dharmendra Pradhan the name of Nanki Ram Kanwar was finalised and the staff of the Chief Minister had also spoken to him. However, the senior Tribal leader met the party office bearers and said he never wanted to become Speaker.

     Looking into the development, the help of Dharmendra Pradhan was again taken and finally top leaders spoke to MLA from Bilha Dharam Kaushik and pressurise him to accept the post, party sources said.

    Leaders told Kaushik some one has to become Speaker and since the party had decided on his name, he should say yes and subsequently his name was announced today by the Chief Minister after the swearing in ceremony.

     After Rajendra Prasad Shukla, Kaushik would be the second person to become Speaker from Bilaspur district.