Orissa speaker resigns over sexual harassment charge
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Bhubaneswar: Orissa Speaker Maheswar Mohanty resigned today after being accused by a women employee of the state's legislative assembly of sexual harassment. Last Thursday, Gayatri Panda, woman marshal of Orissa Assembly, filed a police complaint against Mohanty and on Saturday police booked him, after a written complaint from Panda.
Speaking to the media, Mohanty said that he resigned, as he wanted a smooth inquiry into the case. The speaker's resignation came in the wake of statewide protests by women activists and the opposition Congress demanding his ouster. However, the ruling coalition says it was a conspiracy against the speaker.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik sacked sports Minister Debashish Naik for his involvement in the alleged conspiring against Mohanty. Taking a tough stance, he wrote to Governor Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare "I have lost confidence and trust in him (Naik). He may please be removed from the state cabinet with immediate effect."
The issue of alleged sexual harassment of Panda rocked the state legislative assembly last week. Panda, who was recently suspended on charges of negligence of duty, had alleged in her complaint that Mohanty harassed her after she refused to provide sexual favours. (IANS)
Speaking to the media, Mohanty said that he resigned, as he wanted a smooth inquiry into the case. The speaker's resignation came in the wake of statewide protests by women activists and the opposition Congress demanding his ouster. However, the ruling coalition says it was a conspiracy against the speaker.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik sacked sports Minister Debashish Naik for his involvement in the alleged conspiring against Mohanty. Taking a tough stance, he wrote to Governor Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare "I have lost confidence and trust in him (Naik). He may please be removed from the state cabinet with immediate effect."
The issue of alleged sexual harassment of Panda rocked the state legislative assembly last week. Panda, who was recently suspended on charges of negligence of duty, had alleged in her complaint that Mohanty harassed her after she refused to provide sexual favours. (IANS)
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