Bhubaneswar: With Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik set to recast his ministry with an eye on the 2024 elections, senior BJD leader and Chikiti MLA Usha Devi is tipped to succeed Surjya Narayan Patro as the Speaker of Odisha Legislative Assembly. If she does, she will create history by becoming the first woman to don the Speaker’s mantle.
Patro has reportedly been asked to resign. Both Patro and Usha Devi belong to undivided Ganjam district.
Among others, the names of Binjharpur MLA Pramilla Mallick, Kamakhyanagar MLA Prafulla Mallick and Boudh MLA Pradip Amat are also doing the rounds to become Speaker. While Pramilla is serving as Government Chief Whip, Prafulla is the Steel and Mines Minister. Amat is a former Speaker and ex minister.
A scion of the Chikiti royal family, Usha Devi is a sux-time Chikiti MLA who has handled important ministerial portfolios.
With a view to make changes in his three-year-old ministry, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday asked all ministers to tender their resignations.
Official sources said the Governor will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers at 11.45 am on Sunday. Preparations for the oath-taking ceremony are underway at Raj Bhavan, the Governor’s House.
