BJD MLA from G Udayagiri constituency, Saluga Pradhan on Tuesday elected unopposed as the Deputy Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
Announcing the election of Pradhan, a two-time MLA from Kandhamal district, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, "I congratulate Shri Pradhan on being elected as the Deputy Speaker of this House. Since the Legislative Assembly is an exalted pillar of democracy, all of us should uphold the dignity of this august House by our conduct. All request all our honourable members to extend their support and cooperation wholeheartedly to the Deputy Speaker in discharging his duties."
Speaking on the occasion, Saluga Pradhan thanked all the members of the Assembly for electing him as the Deputy Speaker. He termed the Assembly as a temple of democracy and expressed hope that all the members would collectively maintain the dignity of the House.
It is pertinent to mention here that the post of Deputy Speaker of the Odisha Assembly had fallen vacant after the resignation of Rajani Kant Singh earlier this month.