Bhubaneswar: The State Assembly was adjourned till 4 PM without transiting any business during the pre-lunch session as Opposition BJD and Congress members created ruckus in the House over Polavaram mega irrigation project.
As soon as the House assembled for the day, Opposition Congress members rushed to the well of the Assembly in protest of rejection of their adjournment notice to discuss the Polavaram issue.
They shouted anti-BJP slogans and accused the saffron party of sacrificing the interest of Odisha. The opposition BJD members also shouted against the BJP government.
BJD Chief Whip Pramila Mallik urged Speaker Surama Padhy to bring the House in order before allowing the Question House. Shrimati Padhy’s request to Congress members to return to their seats, failed to yield any result forcing her to adjourn the House till 11.30 AM.
When the House reassembled after adjournment, a similar scene was observed in the House and this time, the BJD members also joined the Congress members in the protest.
The Speaker said she could not allow a discussion on the Polavaram project as sought by Congress members because the matter was sub-judice. She requested the Opposition members to return to their seats and participate in zero hour discussion.
However, the Opposition members continue to create ruckus in the well of the House. Unable to run the House, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings till 4 PM.
Outside the Assembly, Leader of Opposition, Naveen Patnaik said the BJD has always been fighting for the interest of the people of Odisha. “We will continue to do so,” Shri Patnaik said.
The BJD on Thursday had asked the Central government to halt the construction of the multi-purpose Polavaram project in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh till issues related to the safety and well-being of the tribal people of Malkangiri district are resolved.
Congress Legislature Party leader Ramachandra Kadam said the central government is funding heavily for the Polavaram project, which will help Andhra Pradesh. But, the double-engine government in Odisha has remained silent on the issue, he said.
On the other hand, Treasury Bench Member, Ashok Mohanty said the Opposition members are misleading the people of Odisha. The BJP government will not allow an inch of land for the project, he said.