Pramila Mallik Named First Female Speaker of Odisha Assembly

In a historic move, Odisha’s Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has chosen Pramila Mallik as their candidate for the position of assembly speaker, marking the state’s first female speaker. This announcement comes after the resignation of Bikram Keshari Arukh in May, who stepped down from the role when inducted into the state cabinet. With a comfortable majority of 112 legislators in the House, the BJD’s nomination of Mallik is expected to sail smoothly through the election, solidifying her position as the first woman to hold this prestigious role in Odisha.

Pramila Mallik, a seasoned politician with six consecutive terms as an MLA, has a rich history of serving in various significant capacities within the Naveen Patnaik government. She expressed her gratitude to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for entrusting her with this pivotal responsibility. Mallik pledged to preside over the assembly with impartiality and inclusiveness, emphasizing the importance of working collaboratively with all members.

She highlighted Chief Minister Patnaik’s commitment to women’s empowerment and the demand for 33% reservation for women, stating that her appointment as speaker exemplified the belief in women’s capabilities. Mallik’s vision for her tenure as speaker revolves around unity and equitable representation.

With this groundbreaking appointment, Odisha takes a significant step towards gender diversity and inclusivity in its legislative leadership. Pramila Mallik’s election as the first woman speaker reflects the state’s commitment to acknowledging and promoting the role of women in governance.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Hindustan Times