27% MLAs in 16th Odisha Legislative Assembly Are Post Graduates: Data

Bhubaneswar: The newly elected Odisha Legislative Assembly has more number of graduates and post-graduates, said a New Delhi-based think tank in its latest report.

The 16th Odisha Assembly, where the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal has the highest representation with 77 per cent MLAs, has good number of educated legislators, according to data collected by PRS Legislative Research. 

The new Assembly has 43% MLAs with a graduate degree, while 27% of the incoming MLAs have a post graduate or higher degree, stated the report based on analysis of profile of the incoming MLAs. 

The average age of the incoming Assembly continues to be 37 years, as there is a reduction in both the youngest and oldest age groups, it said. 

The results of the elections to the 16th Odisha Legislative Assembly were declared on May 23.  Elections to one constituency – Patkura in Kendrapara District have been postponed.   

In the newly elected Assembly, of the 146 elected members, 112 are from the BJD, which has been in power in the state since 2000.

The BJP has become the main opposition party with 23 seats. The Congress got only nine seats.