Bhubaneswar: BJD leader Pramila Mallik today filed nomination for election to the post of Odisha Assembly Speaker. The poll is scheduled to be held on September 22.

"I will seek the cooperation of all Members of the House for smooth conduct of the proceedings," she said while speaking to media persons.

Earlier in the day, the Binjharpur MLA resigned as Revenue and Disaster Management Minister. She is all set to become the first woman Speaker of Odisha Assembly.

On the other hand, School and Mass Education Minister Sudam Marndi has been given the additional charge of Revenue and Disaster Management Department.

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) had yesterday announced her name as the party’s candidate for the Speaker’s post.

As the ruling party has absolute majority in Odisha Assembly, Mallik will not face any major hurdle in her election to the Speaker’s post on September 22, said a political observer.

The Speaker post in Odisha Assembly has been falling vacant ever since the resignation of Bikram Keshari Arukha in May this year.

Earlier, it was announced that the election to the Speaker’s post would be conducted on September 21.

However, the election has been rescheduled to September 22 as the Opposition Congress and BJP had threatened to boycott the poll on September 21 citing the Nuakhai festival in Odisha.