BJP’s Surama Padhy on Wednesday filed her nomination for the post of the Speaker of the Odisha Assembly. As no other nominations were filed from any other political party today, it is almost certain that Surama Padhy will succeed BJD’s Pramila Mallick as the Speaker of the 17th Assembly.
“As per the rules and procedures for the conduct of the House, the nomination process should be before noon and BJP’s Surama Padhy had filed nomination. No other nomination from any political party was received during the specified time period,” said Mukesh Mahaling, Parliamentary Affairs Minister.
BJD MLA Ganeswar Behera said, “Surama Padhy is now elected Speaker unopposed. Time has lapsed and BJD took no decision regarding the nomination. Hope that she runs the House in an impartial manner.”
Padhy’s name was proposed for the Speaker’s post by Odisha CM Mohan Majhi. Surama Padhy has vast experience as a minister in the BJD-BJP coalition government in Odisha. Earlier, BJP had nominated a tribal leader Mohan Majhi as the Chief Minister and now the party has given prominence to women leaders by giving them key posts. The party has roped in Pravati Parida as the Deputy Chief Minister and now Surama Padhy has been named the candidate for the Speaker post.
It will be a litmus test for Surama Padhy to manage the proceedings in the Odisha Assembly as the strength of Opposition members is high compared to the past.
“A new message is being sent to promote women candidates for key posts. After the deputy CM, BJP nominated Surama Padhy for the Speaker post. The Speaker’s role will be important given the fact that there is a strong opposition in the form of BJD while Congress' strength has also increased,” said senior journalist Prasanna Mohanty adding that only time will tell how far she would be able to discharge her duties well.
Meanwhile, suspense still prevails on who will be the next deputy Speaker, Government Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip. The names of Kantabanji MLA Laxman Bag and Remuna MLA Govinda Chandra Das are doing rounds for the Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chief Whip posts. Badasahi MLA Sanatan Bijuli is among the frontrunners for the post of government Chief Whip.
It is also speculated that the BJP might spring a surprise here as well.
Though Odisha CM Mohan Majhi's cabinet has 16 ministers, six more ministerial berths are still lying vacant.