Bhubaneswar: The first half of the State Legislative Assembly session today completely washed away as Opposition BJD and Congress created a ruckus in the House in protest against the State government’s decision to change the date of Panchayati Raj Diwas, which they claimed disrespected Biju Babu.
The uproar led to the adjournment of the House first until 12 PM and then till 4 PM by Speaker Surama Padhy.
Before the Assembly convened at 10:30 AM for the second phase of the budget session after an 18-day break, BJD and Congress members, carrying placards, rushed to the well of the House and raised vociferous slogans against the government for delinking Panchayati Raj Diwas from 5 March, which had been observed on the birth anniversary of the legendary leader, Biju Patnaik for the last three decades.
The Opposition intensified their protests and rushed to the podium as the Speaker entered the House to commence the Question Hour. The Opposition members attempted to disrupt the proceedings.
BJD MLA Adhiraj Panigrahi and Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati attempted to climb onto the Speaker’s podium and tried to snatch the microphone. However, Assembly security personnel intervened and removed the microphone from the podium.
The Speaker appealed to the agitating opposition members to return to their seats and allow the House to function, emphasizing that important discussions were scheduled. However, the Opposition MLAs ignored the Speaker’s appeal and intensified their sloganeering inside the well, further disrupting the House proceedings.
Unable to maintain order, the Speaker adjourned the Assembly at 10:35 AM until 12 PM. Following the adjournment, BJD legislators carrying placards marched in a procession from the well of the House to the Mahatma Gandhi statue inside the Assembly complex, where they staged a dharna.
When the House reassembled at noon, Opposition members continued and the Speaker allowed three BJP MLAs including Tankadhar Tripathy and Purna Chandra Sethi to speak. The Speaker also announced the schedule for formation of various House Committees. Then, she adjourned the proceedings till 4 PM.
The Congress members also staged a protest over the alleged rise in crime against women in the state after the BJP government came to power in Odisha in June last year.
Speaking to reporters outside the House, eight-time BJD MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain alleged that the BJP government has “dishonoured” Biju Patnaik and that the people of Odisha would “never tolerate such an attack on the great son of the soil. It is a direct affront on the Odisha asmita (pride).”
Senior BJD Lawmaker Arun Kumar Sahoo said that the BJD would continue its agitation both inside the House and outside till the State government withdraws its decision.
Shri Sahoo claimed the state government’s decision was “illegal” as it was implemented through an executive order.
Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Rama Chandra Kadam said that his party is also condemning the BJP dispensation for alleged disrespect to Biju Patnaik.
“Our main demand is to ensure the safety of women and girls in the state. The state has recorded 1,600 crimes against women in just 8 months of the BJP rule. As many as 36,420 women and girls have been reported missing from Odisha till 2024. Similarly, 8,403 children are also missing from the state. We are staging agitation both in the assembly and outside over the crime against women,” Shri Kadam said.
The BJP members, on the other hand, defended the State Government and alleged that the opposition members were obstructing the proceedings of the House.
“The BJP government has the highest regard for Biju Patnaik. They (opposition members) are not prepared to discuss the matter in the House. The BJD has misused Biju Patnaik’s name for votes while the BJP has been giving respect to the legendary leader,” Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik said.
He also alleged that the BJD has not installed a single statue of Biju Patnaik at its headquarters Sankha Bhawan.