Mata Prasad Pandey Appointed Leader of Opposition in UP Assembly

The Samajwadi Party has appointed Mata Prasad Pandey as the leader of opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, replacing Akhilesh Yadav. Pandey, who has a rich political history, will bring substantial experience to the role. The party also appointed Kamaal Akhtar and Rakesh Kumar to key positions.

The Samajwadi Party has named seven-time MLA Mata Prasad Pandey as the new leader of opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. Pandey, who is 82, replaces SP president Akhilesh Yadav, who stepped down after being elected to the Lok Sabha from Kannauj.

Party leader Akhilesh Yadav announced Pandey's appointment, emphasizing his extensive experience, which includes tenure as the state health minister and labor and employment minister in previous administrations under Mulayam Singh Yadav. Pandey has also served as the Uttar Pradesh Assembly speaker twice.

At a recent meeting at SP headquarters, party MLAs authorized Yadav to select the new opposition leader. In addition to Pandey, the SP named Kamaal Akhtar as the chief whip and Rakesh Kumar as the deputy whip in the assembly.