Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi proposed Padhi's name as the Speaker for the 17th Assembly session, which was seconded by state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahalinga.

After the voice vote, Pro Tem Speaker Ranendra Pratap Swain declared 63-year-old Padhi as the second woman speaker of the Odisha Assembly.

The new president was later introduced by CM Majhi, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singh Dev and Parvati Parida took him to the chair.

"I am expressing my respect to all of you for electing me Speaker by unanimously supporting the motion of CM Majhi. I belong to a humble family. I never imagined of getting the opportunity to hold such a post in this August House. "Didn't." Padhi said.

"I will discharge my responsibilities impartially and maintain the dignity of the Speaker with the help of all members," Padhi said.

Congratulating the new Speaker of the Odisha Assembly, CM Majhi said, 'After you take charge today, I have full confidence that you will maintain the dignity of this August House and run it properly without any bias.'

Padhi filed nomination for the post of Speaker in the state assembly on Wednesday. He filed his nomination in the presence of CM Majhi, both the Deputy Chief Ministers and other party leaders.

Earlier, Padhi was elected to the state assembly twice from Ranpur constituency in Nayagarh district during 2004–2009.

During the above period she was also the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Co-operation Department of Odisha.

He won Ranpur constituency again in 2024 by defeating BJD candidate Satyanarayan Pradhan by 15,544 votes.