BJD MlA from Redhakhol Rohit Pujari is likely to be nominated to the post of Deputy Government Chief Whip in the Assembly. BJD sources said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has given green signal in this regard.
Earlier, Patnaik chose Anata Das as the Government Chief Whip. However, so far no formal appoint letter was issued in either case. The appointment of both Das and Pujari is likely to be made clear on Saturday as the process of election to the post of Speaker would be held on Monday, reliable sources said.
Since nobody from Sambalpur district figured in the newly constituted Council of Ministers, Patnaik probably found it to be in the fitness of things to accommodate Pujari in the post. A special meeting of the House would be held on Monday to elect the new Speaker of the Assembly. According to BJD sources, former Minister and Sonepur MlA Niranjan Pujari is most likely to be appointed as Speaker though several names like former Minister Mangala Kissan, former Speaker Mahes