The election to Speaker post will be held on September 21 and the monsoon session of Odisha Assembly commence the following day on September 22. The date for filing of nomination papers for the election to the Speaker post is September 18.

However, western Odisha’s most popular festival ‘Nuakhai’ is going to be celebrated on September 20. Similarly, ‘Nuakhai Bhetghat’ will be held on September 21, said state Congress media cell chairman Ganeswar Behera in a statement.

He said the people across western Odisha celebrate the festival with enthusiasm and fervour and partake the offering after ‘Nabanna’ is offered to Maa Samaleswari.

In view of the importance of this popular festival, the state government generally declares holiday for two days every year. However, only one holiday has been declared this year, he said.

As a result, the Congress legislators will be present in their respective to celebrate Nuakhai festival and will not be able to take part in Speaker election, he added.

Notably, Nuakhai is the most important agrarian festival in western Odisha and is celebrated with pomp and gaiety in several districts including Sambalpur, Balangir, Bargarh, Sundargarh, Kalahandi, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Boudh and Sonepur.