The opposition United Progressive Alliance in Jharkhand on Sunday night decided to contest the post of assembly speaker and put up Rashtriya Janata Dal member of Legislative Assembly Annaporna Devi as its candidate.

• Jharkhand pro-tem speaker sworn in

The candidature was 'unanimously' approved at a meeting of legislators of UPA constituents held in Ranchi in the evening, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Stephen Marandi told reporters.

The meeting was attended by more than 20 UPA MLAs, mostly belonging to the JMM, Congress and the RJD, including Soren.