Prof. Patel elected Speaker of House
Prof. Mangal Patel was unanimously elected as the 11th Speaker of the Gujarat Vidhan Sabha, keeping up with the tradition of electing Speaker without a contest.

Law and justice minister Ashok Bhatt proposed the name of Prof. Patel, which received support from the leader of the Opposition Amarsinh Chaudhary.

Chief minister Narendra Modi and Mr Chaudhary escorted the Speaker along with Mr Bhatt to his chair while Protem Speaker Daulat Desai vacated his chair, expressing confidence that Prof. Patel will uphold the traditions and values of the Speaker.

Chief minister Narendra Modi said he had full confidence that Prof. Patel, who was the BJP chief whip of the 10th Gujarat Vidhan Sabha, will embrace the high traditions and values.

Mr Modi said Prof. Patel, a postgraduate in botany, has enjoyed several positions in the panchayat system and had been in the BJP executive for 10 years. Prof. Patel has given his contribution as president of the Gujarat State Panchayat Parishad, president of the Mehsana district panchayat and even as the leader of the Opposition.

Leader of the Opposition Amarsinh Chaudhary said, "The Opposition may at times react with anger to situations but I expect that the Speaker, who is above party norms, will take both parties in confidence at all times."

While parliamentary affairs minister Ashok Bhatt expressed confidence that Prof. Patel will uphold the traditions set by Fatehali Pateljwala, Congress MLA Usmangani Devdiwala said he hoped that three minority members will get due justice in the House.

Prof. Patel assured the House that the rights of each MLA will be protected. "I am well aware that I am in the position of the priest of democracy and high morals and traditions should be upheld at all times. In return I expect that MLAs will also follow the precedents and rules of the House and display highest form of integrity," he said.

"I expect that he who comes to equity, comes with his hands free. Respect others and you will get respected. If every MLA observes due restraint in their speech and follows the model code of conduct, it will be of great help in running the House," he maintained.

Speaker Dhirubhai Shah and deputy speaker Upendra Trivedi were given a grand farewell at the function.

Republished from The Asian Age