Odisha: Deputy Speaker resigns to handle organizational work

By Sukant Mohanty

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 8: In a significant development, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Rajanikant Singh on Wednesday resigned from the post of Deputy Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.

“I was contemplating over the decision to quit my Deputy Speaker’s position since long as the constitutional decency and propriety attached to this post did not allow me to take part in the party’s organisational activities. As State Assembly elections and Lok Sabha polls are around the corner, I decided to step down and work for the party with full strength,” said Singh soon after tendering his resignation.

When asked whether BJD supremo and CM Naveen Patnaik will entrust him with some crucial responsibility in the organisation, Singh said that everything depends on the party chief.

“There is buzz only in the media that BJP is rising. But the people of Odisha are with BJD. MLAs have the responsibility to strengthen the party in their respective constituencies. I have resigned to work for the organisation,” Singh added.

Rajanikant is a four-time MLA from Angul since 2004. He was also a minister during the fourth term of the BJD government from 2014 to 2019. Singh was elected unopposed as the Deputy Speaker of the 16th Odisha Assembly in April 2021.