Stephen sworn in as protem speaker

Ranchi: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLA, Stephen Marandi was sworn-in as the protem speaker of the newly constituted fourth Jharkhand assembly on Friday.
The tribal leader from Santhal Pargana was administered oath by Governor Syed Ahmed in a ceremony at Raj Bhavan. The other dignitaries at the swearing-in ceremony included chief minister Raghubar Das, ex CM and JMM vice president, Hemant Soren, and parliamentary affairs minister, C P Singh, among others.
After being appointed, Ahmed congratulated Marandi, who has previously served as deputy CM as well as a minister in Shibu Soren and Arjun Munda-led state governments.
“It is an honor for me. JMM has received a mandate to be in opposition (in the state). The party will carry out its role as a constructive opposition,” said Marandi.
The protem speaker performs the duties of the speaker till such time that the MLAs elect a new one. The four-day assembly session will begin from January 6, when the newly elected MLAs will take oath.
Chief minister Raghubar Das has already announced the name of tribal leader from Gumla district, Dinesh Oraon, for the post of speaker of the house. Oraon won from Sisai assembly segment on a BJP ticket.