Odisha Assembly to Get First Woman Speaker: Naveen’s Yet another Remarkable Step towards Women Empowerment

Bhubaneswar: Taking yet another remarkable step towards women empowerment, Biju Janata Dal President and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday fielded Pramila Mallik as the BJD’s candidate for the ensuing election to the post of Speaker of Odisha Legislative Assembly, scheduled to be held on September 22.

Considering the absolute majority that the BJD enjoys in the Assembly, Mallik’s victory to the prestigious post is almost certain. She will be first woman Assembly Speaker in the history of Odisha.

Pramila Mallik’s candidature for this vital post has demonstrated her party President Naveen Patnaik’s commitment for the cause of woman empowerment.

It is quite significant to note that fact that Naveen Patnaik’s announcement of Pramila Mallik’s candidature took place on the day when the Lok Sabha passed the historic Women’s Reservation Bill granting 33% seats to women in Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. It was the first Bill to be introduced after lawmakers shifted to the new Parliament building. The Bill will play an instrumental role for the empowerment of women across the country.

It is Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, whose sustained and continued efforts have played an instrumental role in the passage of the historic Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha.

When it comes to empowerment of women, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik stands tall in the current political scenario. He is widely regarded a champion of women empowerment and is different from other political leaders in this aspect.

In this case too, Naveen has shown it not only in words, but also in deeds. The five-time Chief Minister, who has taken many steps for women empowerment, has expressed his opinion in favor of proper representation of women in the decision making process.

Naveen has even stood above partisan politics and supported initiatives related to women’s empowerment. Supporting Droupadi Murmu during the Presidential election is an example of this.

In any election – be it general elections or Assembly or local elections , Naveen Patnaik has always given utmost priority in fielding women candidates of the BJD. In the 2019 General Elections, Naveen had set an example for all political parties across the country by giving 33 per cent of BJD tickets to women candidates.

As the stage is set for the Odisha Speaker election, Naveen has set a shining example of women empowerment by nominating a woman candidate for the prestigious post.