Bhubaneswar: Ranpur MLA Surama Padhy is all set to become the new Speaker of Odisha Assembly.

Padhy (67) has been named as the candidate for the Speaker’s post in the 17^th Assembly in Odisha by the BJP after the party formed government in the state by defeating the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD in the 2024 polls.

Padhy was first elected to the Odisha Assembly from Ranpur segment on a BJP ticket in 2004.

She had also served as a Minister of State with independent charge for the department Cooperation in the BJD-BJP coalition government in Odisha for the second term from 2004 to 2009.

The BJP has won 78 Assembly seats of the total 147 in Odisha in the 2024 elections while the BJD managed to secure 51 seats.

Candidates of the Congress party came victorious in 14 constituencies while four seats went to independent nominees.