Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Assembly was adjourned till Wednesday following repeated disruptions by Congress and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) members on the opening day of the Monsoon Session. The Opposition protested against the MMDR Bill and alleged errors in school textbooks.
The House was first adjourned till 1.10 pm and later till 4 pm as Opposition members prevented smooth functioning of the proceedings. When the Assembly reconvened after 4 pm, Congress and BJD legislators again stormed the well of the House, raising slogans and creating a loud disturbance. Speaker Surama Padhy was compelled to adjourn the House till the next day.
The session began on a solemn note with obituary references to departed legislators, public figures and public servants. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi moved the condolence motions and expressed grief over their demise. The House also paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the recent floods in Nepal. Members observed the customary silence before the scheduled business began.
However, as soon as Question Hour commenced, BJD and Congress MLAs rushed to the well carrying placards. They raised slogans over the MMDR Bill and alleged mistakes in school textbooks, disrupting the proceedings. The Speaker’s repeated appeals for calm went unheeded. With the protests continuing, she adjourned the House till 1.10 pm.
When the Assembly met again at 1.10 pm, the Opposition members resumed their protest. The continued uproar once again forced the Speaker to adjourn the proceedings till 4 pm.
