Odisha Congress to boycott Assembly Speaker election

The Odisha unit of the Congress on Thursday announced to boycott the scheduled election for the Odisha Assembly Speaker post on September 21. Senior Congress leader, Narasingha Mishra said Nuakhai, the biggest festival of Western Odisha is celebrated for two days.

But unfortunately, the Chief Minister has called for the Assembly on September 21. “It is unfortunate the Odisha government has called for an Assembly session for the Speaker election. Despite protests, they have not listened and it is a step-motherly attitude towards Western Odisha,” alleged Mishra.

Mishra further said, “I urge people of Western Odisha to stand up against such step-motherly treatment by the state government. Nuakhai is deeply rooted in the sentiments of the people. Nobody from the Congress will participate in the Speaker’s election process.”

The election for the post of Odisha Assembly Speaker which has been lying vacant since the resignation of Bikram Keshari Arukha on May 12, will be held on September 21.

Commenting on the matter, Rajendra Dholakia, Minister of the Planning & Convergence Department said, “It is a matter of the Parliamentary Affairs department and the concerned minister might have brought it to the notice of CM. It is not appropriate on my part to comment on it.”

Refuting allegations of step-motherly treatment toward Western Odisha leveled by Mishra, Dholakia said, “CM Naveen Patnaik has always given importance to Western Odisha. Be it medical colleges in Kalahandi and Bolangir, there are several examples that show that the allegations are not justified.”