Odisha Assembly monsoon session begins, Pramila Mallik elected unopposed as first woman Speaker

Senior BJD leader Pramila Mallik on Friday became the first woman Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly. She was elected as the Speaker of the House on the first day of the monsoon session unopposed.

Six-time BJD MLA Mallik, who represents Binjharpur constituency,  had filed papers for the Speaker’s post on behalf of BJD on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the monsoon session of the Assembly got underway today. On the first day of the session, the work of the House started at 11 am. Newly-elected Speaker Mallik officially took up her new responsibility today.

The first half of the Assembly will be adjourned after offering condolences to former Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro.

Finance Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha is scheduled to present the additional budget amounting to Rs 21,000 crore in the House at 5 pm.

Meanwhile, ruling BJD and Opposition BJP and Congress will conduct separate meetings with their respective party MLAs to prepare a strategy for the monsoon session of the Assembly.

While BJP and Congress are preparing a long list of issues to corner the ruling party, BJD is also preparing counter plans.