Bhubaneswar, Mar 13 (UNI) The Opposition BJD on Thursday stalled proceedings in the Odisha Assembly, demanding a debate on the controversial Polavaram Project constructed by the Andhra Pradesh Government.
The house witnessed uproarious scenes right from question hour at 10:30 AM, as agitated BJD members trooped into the well of the house, shouting slogans demanding a debate on the Polavaram Project.
BJD Deputy Leader Prasanna Acharya strongly objected to Speaker Surama Padhy's rejection of their notice for a discussion on the controversial Polavaram Project.
As the house grew noisier with BJD members occupying the well and shouting slogans, the Speaker first adjourned the House at 10:35 AM till 11:30 AM. Subsequently, the house witnessed a series of adjournments, and no business could be conducted.
Meanwhile, Congress members boycotted the Assembly session for the second consecutive day on Thursday, demanding that the suspension order served on their party MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati be revoked.
Instead of attending the session, Congress members preferred to stage a dharna near Mahatma Gandhi’s statue inside the Assembly premises in support of their demand.
BJD members alleged that the Polavaram Project would submerge several villages in Odisha and insisted that the matter be discussed in the house in the interest of the state's people.
However, BJP MLA Irasish Acharya defended the Speaker’s ruling, which rejected the BJD’s notice for a discussion on the Polavaram issue. He cited the Rules of Procedure of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, which clearly state that any matter sub judice in a court of law cannot be discussed in the house.
Meanwhile, Congress Legislature Party leader Rama Chandra Kadam appealed to the Speaker to revoke the seven-day suspension order served on senior party MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati.
Due to the protest by BJD members on the Polavaram Project, the pre-lunch session of the house was completely disrupted.
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