Mr Bhartruhari Mahtab

Mr Bhartruhari Mahtab is a seasoned Indian politician from Odisha, known for his multiple terms as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Cuttack, first with the BJD and now with the BJP, recently serving as the Pro-Tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha in 2024 after joining the BJP in 2024; he's also a journalist and editor of the Odia daily  , recognized for his parliamentary performance with awards like the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award.

Key Highlights:

Political Journey: Began with BJD, elected from Cuttack since 1998, won seven times, then switched to BJP just before the 2024 elections.

Pro-Tem Speaker: Served as the temporary Speaker for the 18th Lok Sabha in June 2024.

Family Background: Son of Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab, Odisha's first Chief Minister.

Education: Holds a Master's degree in English from Utkal University.

Journalism: Editor of the Odia daily newspaper, Prajatantra.

Awards: Recipient of the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award (2017) and Sansad Ratna Awards for debates (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020).

Recent Affiliation: Joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in March 2024.

Career Snapshot: Member of Parliament (MP): Elected to the Lok Sabha multiple times from Cuttack, Odisha.

Committees: Has chaired various parliamentary committees, demonstrating active participation in legislative work.

Mahtab is a respected parliamentarian with a strong legacy in Odisha politics, known for his consistent performance and transition to the BJP before the 2024 elections, culminating in his brief stint as Pro-Tem Speaker.