BJP's Bagde elected unopposed as Maharashtra speaker

With this, the BJP minority govt notched its first critical legislative victory

Haribhau K. Bagde, BJP leader and senior legislator from Phulambri in Aurangabad, was declared elected unopposed as the new speaker of the Maharashtra assembly Wednesday.

Pro-tem Speaker J.P. Gavit made the announcement at the commencement of the three-day special session of the assembly.

According to the state's tradition, Bagde's unopposed election to the august post was facilitated after the Shiv Sena's Vijay Auti and the Congress' Varsha Gaekwad withdrew their nominations Wednesday after talks with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis late Tuesday.

With this, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minority government notched its first critical legislative victory as it prepares to face the vote of confidence in the legislature later Wednesday afternoon.