Kishore Mohanty, Jharsuguda MLA (Right) Bikram Arukh ( Left)
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Bhubaneswar ( Orissa): Finally Jharsuguda MLA Kishor Mohanty and his Bhanjanagar counterpart Bikram Arukh emerged as the dark horses of Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Mohanty on Monday filed his nomination papers for the post of Speaker few minutes after BJD chief announced his name while Arukh would be the new chief whip of the State Government after the nod of Naveen Niwas.
“Mohanty has been chosen for the Speaker’s post while Arukh would be the new Chief Whip,” Orissa Chief Minister told reporters.
The post of Speaker was lying vacant since 31 March as Maheswar Mohanty resigned following a sexual harassment allegation levelled against him by his former suspended assistant lady marshal Gayatri Panda.
Election for the Speaker’s post will be held on Tuesday, a day before the Monsoon Session of the State Assembly.
Meanwhile, irked over BJD-BJP, Opposition Congress has decided to boycott the election and would not field its candidates in the election.
The Opposition had earlier indicated to field a candidate. “As the Government did not seek out opinion in selecting a Speaker, we have decided to boycott the election,” Leader of Opposition JB Patnaik told reporters.
JB further added, “ The Government seems to have no respect for the Constitutional order and democratic values,”
Mohanty is a third time MLA from Jharsuguda and worked more than 4 years as Government’s chief whip however hoped to win the hearts of all members of the House barring their party affiliations.
“I would try my best to maintain the dignity of the House and win the confidence of all members,” the Speaker in waiting said.
On the other hand, 46-year old Arukh is also a third member from Bhanjanagar. He has been winning from the seat continuously from 1995 by defeating his rivals from the Congress.
“I have been in the house for the past two decades, which would help me in tackling the new job,” Arukh added.
