SP picks Ram Govind Choudhary as leader of opposition for revival in Eastern UP

NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party leader Ram Govind Choudhary, a popular face even among the non-Yadavs and Thakurs of Ballia district from where he contested, does not have an easy role cut out for him as leader of the opposition in the UP assembly.

A product of the JP movement, who espouses the socialist cause, he was once considered Man Friday of former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar in Ballia district. Infact, it was Chandra Shekhar who fielded Choudhary from Chilkahar seat in Ballia district (Chandra Shekhar’s native district) in 1977 and ensured his victory.

Choudhary remained loyal to Chandra Shekhar ever since. “He joined the SP camp only after taking consent from Chandra Shekharji,” a source in SP recalled. Choudhary, who become the choice of his party’s national president Akhilesh Yadav, as leader of opposition of the state assembly, may help SP restore its old base in eastern UP.


Apart from Ballia, SP’s main source of strength lies in east UP districts like Mau, Ghazipur and Azamgarh. After facing defeat in a major part of this belt in the 2017 assembly polls, it has become a difficult task for SP to restore its old base in these regions. Thus, Choudhary’s selection as leader of opposition clearly reflects the party’s concerns to revive the organisational base in eastern UP.