Congress to boycott Speaker's election in Orissa Assembly

Bhubaneswar, Aug 18 (UNI) The Opposition Congress in Orissa Assembly today resolved to boycott the Speaker's election, scheduled to be held here tomorrow.

Party chief whip Satya Bhushan Sahu told newspersons after the Congress Legislature Party meeting here this evening that the party has decided not to participate in the election process of the Speaker as the ruling BJD-BJP alliance did not consult the Opposition on the issue.

The need for a new Speaker was necessitated after Mr Maheswar Mohanty resigned from the post on March 31 last in the wake of an FIR filed in the Mahila Police station by suspended Orissa Assembly lady marshal Gayatri Panda alleging sexual harassment case against him.

Since the monsoon session of the Assembly will commence from tomorrow, the election of a new Speaker to conduct the business of the House was essential.

The ruling BJD-BJP alliance had already chosen government chief whip Kishore Mohanty as the new Speaker, while Mr Bikram Aaruk was appointed as the new government chief whip replacing Mr Mohanty.

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