The Hindu : Front Page : Kishore Kumar Mohanty is new Speaker

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Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008
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Kishore Kumar Mohanty is new Speaker

Special Correspondent

Session from tomorrow; ruling alliance, Opposition chalk out strategy

Kishore Kumar Mohanty

BHUBANESWAR: The monsoon session of the Assembly, which is scheduled to start on Wednesday, is set to see Government Chief Whip Kishore Kumar Mohanty as the new Speaker.

That Mr. Mohanty was all set be elected as the next Speaker became clear on Monday when he filed nomination papers for the post. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and many other leaders of the ruling BJD-BJP alliance were present. Mr. Mohanty, three-time legislator from Jharsuguda Assembly constituency in western Orissa, will be elected Speaker on Tuesday. Deputy Speaker Prahallad Dora would conduct the proceedings.

Senior BJD legislator from Bhanjanagar Assembly seat in Ganjam district Bikram Keshari Arukha was appointed the Government Chief Whip, the Chief Minister told presspersons. Earlier, it was being speculated that there would be a contest for the Speaker’s post with the Opposition fielding a candidate.

The Opposition parties, however, decided not to contest as the government chose not to bring back former Speaker Maheswar Mohanty.

But the Opposition parties expressed their anger against the government for not consulting them. The Opposition will abstain when the House would elect Mr. Mohanty as Speaker, Leader of the Opposition J.B. Patnaik said.

The Speaker post had been lying vacant since March 31 following resignation of Mr. Maheswar Mohanty in the wake of sexual harassment charge levelled against him by suspended Assistant Marshal of the Assembly Gayatri Panda. The State Human Rights Commission has since dropped the case against the former Speaker. But investigation in the criminal case that was registered against Mr. Mohanty on the basis of a complaint lodged by Ms. Panda is still under progress.

Main issues

Meanwhile, legislature parties of the ruling alliance and the Opposition held their meetings separately on the Assembly premises to chalk out their strategies for the session.

The session is likely to be stormy as the Opposition has chalked to strategy to embarrass the government over the Rs.-2-a-kg rice scheme and the deteriorating law and order situation in the State.

Adequate security arrangements have been made to prevent any untoward incident during the short session. A total of 32 platoons of policemen have been deployed for the purpose. The session will continue till August 29.

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