Chief minister Naveen Patnaik and protem speaker V Sugnana Kumari deo welcome newly elected speaker niranjan pujari at Odisha assembly in Bhubaneswar on Monday. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, May 26: BJD legislator from Sonepur and former industries minister Niranjan Pujari was elected uncontested as Speaker of Odisha Assembly today.

The election was a mere formality, as BJD which has 117 members in the 147-member state legislature, had proposed Pujari’s name as its candidate for the coveted post on Saturday.

The Opposition Congress and the BJP did not field any candidate against him.

Today morning, the Assembly had a special session to conduct the formality. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik formally proposed Pujari’s name in the House and parliamentary affairs minister Bikram Keshari Arukha seconded it.

“As an advocate, he has knowledge in laws. Also he had served efficiently as a minister in the last ministry. I am sure he will be a successful Speaker,” said Naveen.

Protem Speaker V. Sugnana Kumari Deo, who presided over the session, put the motion to voice vote and it was approved unanimously. Pujari was welcomed by Naveen, Tara Prasad Bahinipati of the Congress and Duryodhan Majhi of the BJP.

The newly elected Speaker was conducted to his podium by Naveen and Opposition members. Pujari thanked all members and sought their support and cooperation in smooth conduct of business. The Assembly was adjourned for an indefinite period.

Pujari, 53, is a four-time legislator and was re-elected from Sonepur constituency for the second term.

Earlier, he was elected from Binika twice.

He was a cabinet minister in the Naveen Patnaik government during 2011-14 and had held industries, excise, food supplies and consumer welfare, and science and technology portfolios.