A female employee of the Orissa assembly has made allegations of sexual harassment against the Speaker and senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Maheswar Mohanty. Mr Mohanty, however, has denied the charge describing the development as a conspiracy hatched by some “powerful people” to defame him.
The sitting of the state assembly had to be adjourned for the entire day on Wednesday as the issue rocked the assembly. The Speaker also refused to preside over the house till the matter was thoroughly investigated.
Gayatri Panda, a lady marshal of the assembly, who has been working in the house since 2001 alleged that she was suspended from her job by Mohanty.
According to Ms Panda, after her suspension the Speaker had told her several times to meet him alone to “settle the matter”. The Speaker had also allegedly sent his vehicle to her home a number of times late in the night to take her to his house, which she had refused.
She said that she had complained the matter to the assembly secretary in writing, but no action was taken.