Bhubaneswar: BJD president and Leader of Opposition, Naveen Patnaik, on Tuesday demanded the immediate resignation of Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling following the deaths of patients at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
Addressing reporters outside the Assembly, Patnaik said, “I find it shocking that after nine days of the terrible deaths of patients at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack that even one union minister has not visited the hospital at Cuttack. This is truly shocking. During the tragedy took place at the private medical college during our government our state government several union ministers visited the hospital. You (mediaperson) can compare for yourself their concerns for the people of Odisha who died in such a atrocious accident. I repeat again that the state minister, the Odisha minister of health should resign immediately. I repeat this again.”
Meanwhile, proceedings in the Odisha Assembly were disrupted as BJD and Congress MLAs pressed for Mahaling’s resignation. Opposition members stormed the Well, waved banners, and shouted slogans, ignoring repeated appeals from Speaker Surama Padhy to return to their seats. In view of the protest, the Speaker adjourned the House twice—first until 11:30 a.m., and later until 4 p.m.
