BHUBANESWAR: Former minister Surendra Nath Nayak has been appointed the new Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Board.
Nayak was the Agriculture Minister in the previous Cabinet headed by Naveen Patnaik. But he was denied ticket by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) at the last moment.
His name was announced as the candidate for the Bhubaneswar-north seat. But he was replaced with Bhagirathi Badjena as the BJD candidate from the segment on the last day of the filing of nomination.
Senior legislator Usha Devi is tipped to be the new deputy speaker. The four time MLA from Chikiti was expecting a Cabinet berth but could not make it. She was placated with deputy speaker’s post.
Minister of state for steel and mines in the previous ministry Pradip Amat is the BJD’s candidate for post of Speaker.
He will succeed Kishore Mohanty who lost the Assembly elections from the Jharsuguda segment. Amat has been elected from the Boudh constituency.
Senior most MLA Sugnana Kumari Deo will be the pro tem Speaker. The oath taking of the new MLAs will start from Saturday. Election for the Speaker’s post will also be held on Saturday.