The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has played the tribal card and picked Saluga Pradhan from Kandhamal as it’s candidate for the deputy Speaker’s post of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.

Picking up a tribal candidate for the deputy Speaker’s post coincides with the visit of the first tribal President Droupadi Murmu to her home district Mayurbhanj. The BJD is aware that her visit would make an impact on the tribal pockets of Odisha.

The two-time MLA from G. Udayagiri in Kandhamal, Saluga, 64, filed his nomination papers for the deputy Speaker’s post on Monday ahead of the Odisha Assembly session that’s going to kick off on Tuesday.

Asked whether the BJD is eyeing tribal voters by picking him for the post, Saluga said: “Being the MLA for two terms, I am eligible for the post. I hope all the members will co-operate with me.”

The post has been lying vacant since the resignation of Rajani Kumar Singh earlier this month.

Besides Saluga’s elevation to the post of deputy Speaker, the Naveen Patnaik government has three tribal leaders — Sudam Marndi, Jagannath Saraka and Basanti Hembram as ministers. While Sudam and Basanti hail from Mayurbhanj, Jagannath is from Rayagada district.

On the other hand, Murmu reached her home turf Mayurbhanj on Monday and was given a rousing welcome. Later, she graced the inaugural session of the 36th Annual Conference and Literary Festival of All India Santali Writers’ Association at Baripada, the district headquarters of Mayurbhanj.

Speaking on the occasion, the President noted that the use of the Santhali language has increased in government and non-government sectors, after its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution on December 22, 2003. She remembered former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during whose tenure Santhali language was included in the Eighth Schedule.