Bhubaneswar: Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan has accused the Congress party of orchestrating a deliberate conspiracy to paralyze the Odisha Legislative Assembly, plunging the state’s sacred policymaking institution into chaos.
Addressing a presser here on Wednesday, Harichandan alleged that the party, acting under directives from its Delhi leadership, is determined to halt the Assembly’s functioning until March 27, jeopardizing Odisha’s development in a bid to salvage its own political relevance.
The Assembly, meant to be a hallowed ground for shaping the state’s future, has been mired in high drama since March 7, a situation Harichandan described as unprecedented and contrary to its traditions.
Tensions boiled over when the Speaker, pushed to the brink, suspended a senior Congress MLA. Authorities had hoped this would prompt the party’s legislators to temper their disruptive behavior, but Congress has shown no signs of relenting, Harichandan said.
“They are following orders from Delhi not to let the House function,” Harichandan charged, warning, “God will never forgive them for undermining Odisha’s interests.”
In a desperate effort to preserve its fading influence, Congress has called for a statewide protest on March 27, a move the Law Minister likened to “saving a sinking boat.”
He accused the party of fostering a “goonda raj” within the Assembly, citing instances of abusive language, prolonged bell-ringing, and outright disorder.
“This is undemocratic and a grave offense,” Harichandan said, linking such antics to the public’s past rejection of Congress.
He also invoked historical scandals, including the Anjali Mishra case, Chhabirani rape and murder case and atrocities against women during Congress rule, to underscore the party’s checkered record.
The situation escalated last night when alleged Congress supporters attacked Assembly staff, injuring four security personnel and damaging a lobby door in an attempt to breach the offices of the Chief Minister and other Ministers. Staff eventually expelled the group, but the incident fueled Harichandan’s outrage.
“We have evidence of their actions. Let them show proof of their allegations, and we’ll admit our mistakes if they’re right,” he challenged.
Harichandan dismissed Congress’s demand for a House Committee as baseless, noting that Assembly rules allow such bodies only for specific incidents, not vague grievances—a nuance he said the party fully grasps.
“They’re trying to wash out the House with irrational demands,” he asserted. While the opposition has shunned dialogue, the government remains open to talks, with the Chief Minister ready to respond.
“They can’t demand answers outside while creating chaos inside—this won’t be tolerated,” he insisted.
The Law Minister also criticized the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), accusing it of shielding Congress while glossing over its own governance failures, such as a neglected police force and a culture of impunity.
“Their talk of law and order is like chanting ‘Hari’ in Lanka,” he quipped. With the Assembly costing 70 lakh rupees daily to run—and up to 1 crore including security—the ongoing disruptions are draining public funds, Harichandan lamented.
He urged the opposition to set aside differences and collaborate on a roadmap for Odisha’s progress.
