Bhubaneswar, Mar 24 (UNI) The Odisha Assembly witnessed uproarious scenes on Monday, leading to multiple adjournments until 4 PM , as Opposition Congress and BJD members, carrying placards in support of their demands, stormed into the well of the House, raised slogans, and disrupted proceedings.
The trouble began soon after the House adopted an obituary motion moved by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and observed a one-minute silence to mourn the demise of former Congress MLA Devendra Sharma, who passed away on March 21.
As Speaker Surama Padhy invited Electronics and IT Minister Mukesh Mahaking to respond to a question, Congress and BJD members holding placards trooped into the well of the House.
Congress members staged a novel protest inside the well, beating cymbals and playing trumpets, reiterating their demand for a House committee to probe the rising crimes against women in the state.
Meanwhile, BJD members, also carrying placards, demanded proportionate reservations for SC, ST, and OBC candidates in engineering and medical education, along with 27 percent reservation for OBCs in both jobs and education.
Speaker Surama Padhy urged the Opposition to return to their seats and cooperate with the proceedings, but they remained adamant and continued their protest near the podium.
Unable to restore order, the Speaker adjourned the House at 10:45 AM until 12:09 PM.
As soon as the House was adjourned, Congress and BJD members marched around the Assembly premises, carrying placards, and staged a dharna near the Gandhi statue.
The House was subsequently adjourned twice by Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi—first from 12:09 PM to 12:19 PM and again from 12:19 PM to 12:29 PM.
When the House reconvened at 12:29 PM, the situation remained unchanged as the Opposition continued its protest.
Finding no other option, the Deputy Speaker convened an all-party meeting in his chamber to resolve the deadlock and adjourned the House until 1:00 PM.
The adjournment was extended for another 15 minutes until 1:15 PM and finally until 4:00 PM by Sanatan Bijuli, who replaced the Deputy Speaker in the chair, as the all-party meeting remained inconclusive.
As a result, all scheduled business of the House, including the Question Hour, Zero Hour, and adjournment motions, was completely disrupted due to the Opposition’s protest.
For the past ten days, the Odisha Assembly has witnessed repeated disruptions by Opposition Congress and BJD members, forcing the Chair to adjourn the pre-lunch session without transacting any business.
UNI DP KK