Bhubaneswar senior BJP leader Surama Padhy was on Thursday elected unopposed as speaker of the Odisha Assembly.
Padhy, a two-time MLA elected from Ranpur assembly segment in Nayagarh district, was the only candidate for the post. She was elected unopposed because there were no other candidates in the race.
Acting Speaker RP Swain announced her election and handed over the position to her at the special session of the Assembly.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singh Deo, Pravati Parida, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik and other members of the House greeted the new Speaker.
Padhy is the second woman to become speaker of the Odisha Assembly after BJD's Pramila Mallick.
After her election, Padhy said, "I express my sincere gratitude to everyone for electing me as the President of this August House. I come from a humble family and never thought of holding such a prestigious position and responsibility. I am overwhelmed. It is our responsibility combined to maintain the dignity of this House. Therefore, I request your cooperation. I will do everything possible to maintain neutrality with the cooperation of all.
The Prime Minister congratulated the new Speaker and sought cooperation of all members, including those from the opposition, to cooperate with Padhy for smooth functioning of the House.
Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik said, "I congratulate him (Padhy) as Speaker of the 17th Assembly. I am sure that during his tenure as Speaker he will uphold the dignity of this august House. I also hope that the members will cooperate in the good functioning of the Chamber."
Congress Legislature Party leader Taraprasad Bahinipati and CPI(M)'s lone MP Laxman Munda also congratulated Padhy on being elected Odisha Assembly Speaker.
Padhy, 63, won the elections from Ranpur assembly segment this time. She defeated Satyanarayan Pradhan of Biju Janata Dal by a margin of 15,544 votes.
In 2004, Padhy was elected from Ranpur and served as Cooperation Minister in the BJD-BJP alliance government led by Naveen Patnaik.
In September 2023, senior BJD leader Pramila Mallick created history by becoming the first woman speaker of the Odisha Assembly.
The ruling BJP has 78 MLAs in the 147-member Odisha Assembly.
Padhy, a two-time MLA elected from Ranpur assembly segment in Nayagarh district, was the only candidate for the post. She was elected unopposed because there were no other candidates in the race.
Acting Speaker RP Swain announced her election and handed over the position to her at the special session of the Assembly.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singh Deo, Pravati Parida, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik and other members of the House greeted the new Speaker.
Padhy is the second woman to become speaker of the Odisha Assembly after BJD's Pramila Mallick.
After her election, Padhy said, "I express my sincere gratitude to everyone for electing me as the President of this August House. I come from a humble family and never thought of holding such a prestigious position and responsibility. I am overwhelmed. It is our responsibility combined to maintain the dignity of this House. Therefore, I request your cooperation. I will do everything possible to maintain neutrality with the cooperation of all.
The Prime Minister congratulated the new Speaker and sought cooperation of all members, including those from the opposition, to cooperate with Padhy for smooth functioning of the House.
Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik said, "I congratulate him (Padhy) as Speaker of the 17th Assembly. I am sure that during his tenure as Speaker he will uphold the dignity of this august House. I also hope that the members will cooperate in the good functioning of the Chamber."
Congress Legislature Party leader Taraprasad Bahinipati and CPI(M)'s lone MP Laxman Munda also congratulated Padhy on being elected Odisha Assembly Speaker.
Padhy, 63, won the elections from Ranpur assembly segment this time. She defeated Satyanarayan Pradhan of Biju Janata Dal by a margin of 15,544 votes.
In 2004, Padhy was elected from Ranpur and served as Cooperation Minister in the BJD-BJP alliance government led by Naveen Patnaik.
In September 2023, senior BJD leader Pramila Mallick created history by becoming the first woman speaker of the Odisha Assembly.
The ruling BJP has 78 MLAs in the 147-member Odisha Assembly.
