Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu is likely to address the upcoming winter session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, marking what could be the first-ever address by a sitting President to the state Assembly, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said on Monday.
Speaking to reporters, Harichandan said the state government has sent a proposal to Rashtrapati Bhavan inviting the President to address the House, where she once served as a legislator and minister.
“There is a possibility of it. The state government has sent a proposal to Rashtrapati Bhavan in this regard. We are yet to get confirmation. However, if confirmed by the President’s office, it will be the first President’s address to the Odisha Legislative Assembly,” Harichandan said.
He added that the details of the programme are being finalised, and preparations have already begun at the Assembly premises.
Murmu, who hails from Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district, was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly twice—from the Rairangpur constituency in 2000 and 2004—and served as a minister in the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD-BJP coalition government.
She held charge as Minister of State (Independent) for Commerce and Transport from March 6, 2000 to August 6, 2002, and later as Minister of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development from August 6, 2002 to May 16, 2004.
In recognition of her work as a legislator, Murmu was conferred the Nilakantha S Award for Best MLA in 2007.
Meanwhile, anticipating confirmation of the President’s visit, the Odisha Legislative Assembly has started sprucing up the building, including repairs and a fresh coat of paint, to prepare for the high-profile event.
According to sources, the winter session of the Assembly is likely to commence from November 27.
