Bhopal: Former Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jamuna Devi was today (Dec 13, 2003) chosen the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader in the State in an apparent bid to counter the Uma Bharti led Government.

Former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh had earlier ruled himself out, saying he would not take any post for 10 years after Congress lost the elections.

The septuagenarian tribal leader was declared as the CLP leader after the first meeting of the newly elected party legislators had unanimously authorised Congress president Sonia Gandhi to make the selection.

Announcing her election, Singh told reporters that the party high command had cleared the name of Jamuna Devi for the post and she would become the leader of the Opposition in the 12th State Assembly.

Selection of Jamuna Devi assumes significance in view of the installation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government headed by fiery sanyasin-politician Uma Bharti, who steered her party to an unprecedented landslide victory in the December 1 Assembly elections.

Apart from being a senior woman politician, Jamuna Devi is a popular tribal leader and has been in legislative politics from 1952.

Singh said Jamuna Devi was not only a popular figure, but an able woman and tribal leader.

Thanking Sonia Gandhi for reposing faith in her, Jamuna Devi said she would make her best efforts to enable Congress to perform the role of an effective Opposition and rejuvenate the party for the next Lok Sabha elections.

PTI