Ama Odisha News

Bhubaneswar: While the monsoon session of the state legislative Assembly is all set to get prepared to commence next week, speculation is now rife about the next Deputy Speaker election, which will be held on August 17, the very first day of session.
It is stated here that, the post has fallen vacant after Lalbihari Himirika was sworn in as a Cabinet minister in the May, 2011 reshuffle.
Having the three-fourths majority in the House of 147, it will be not difficult for the ruling party to get the post, says, political experts adding that it remains to be seen whether the Opposition parties will field any candidate.
But the main opposition force Congress is yet to name anybody to contest for the post of the Deputy speaker, sources said. But so far as the present political equation is concerned, the BJP may not support the Congress.
According to the sources, the party leaderships may prefer, Sarojini Hembrum, the first- timer, from Bangiriposhi constituency for this crucial post.. “Though she is a new face in the party but she is deeply appreciated not only in her constituency but in the party too,” observed experts also adding that her organizational capacity, sense of involvement in the party affairs draws everybody’s attention.
On the other hand, another tribal leader Sananda Marandi, a second time MLA from Kuliana constituency of the same district also is in the race. But sources said that he is discarded by a handful of party members. “As he worked with BJP earlier and also won from the BJP ticket and joined BJD later so that many senior members do not prefer him for this constitutional post,” observed experts.
Political experts observed that the party leadership may prefer Sarojini Hembrum for the post than the second time MLA Sananda Marandi for her sincere and dedicated involvement in the organizational matter. But it is quite obvious that the post may assign to a tribal leader.
Sources also maintained that, Dr. Sipra Mallick, V Sugyna Kumari Deo and Pramilla Malick are also aspiring for the post. “The party leadership may also prefer a woman for the post to maintain balance to their so called women reservation,” experts stated.