Bhubaneswar:
BJD legislator from Sonepur and former industries minister Niranjan Pujari was
elected uncontested as Speaker of Odisha Assembly.
The
election was a mere formality, as BJD which has 117 members in the 147-member
state legislature, had proposed Pujari’s name as its candidate for the coveted
post on Saturday.
The
Opposition Congress and the BJP did not field any candidate against him.
Monday morning, the Assembly had a special
session to conduct the formality. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik formally
proposed Pujari’s name in the House and parliamentary affairs minister Bikram
Keshari Arukha seconded it.
“As
an advocate, he has knowledge in laws. Also he had served efficiently as a
minister in the last ministry. I am sure he will be a successful Speaker,” said
Naveen. Protem
Speaker V. Sugnana Kumari Deo, who presided over the session, put the motion to
voice vote and it was approved unanimously. Pujari was welcomed by Naveen, Tara
Prasad Bahinipati of the Congress and Duryodhan Majhi of the BJP.
The
newly elected Speaker was conducted to his podium by Naveen and Opposition
members. Pujari thanked all members and sought their support and cooperation in
smooth conduct of business. The Assembly was adjourned for an indefinite
period.
Pujari,
53, is a four-time legislator and was re-elected from Sonepur constituency for
the second term.
Earlier,
he was elected from Binika twice.
He
was a cabinet minister in the Naveen Patnaik government during 2011-14 and had
held industries, excise, food supplies and consumer welfare, and science and
technology portfolios.
Source:
Odishabook.com
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