Bhubaneswar, Mar 25 (UNI) The Odisha Assembly was adjourned till 4 PM on Tuesday without transacting any business as Opposition Congress and BJD members stalled proceedings right from the Question Hour in support of their demands.
A complete state of chaos prevailed in the well of the House, forcing the Chair to adjourn proceedings five times till 4 PM, as an all-party meeting convened by Speaker Surama Padhy failed to resolve the impasse.
Like the previous ten days, the trouble began when the House met at 10:30 AM for the Question Hour. Opposition Congress and BJD members, holding placards and shouting slogans, stormed into the well of the House.
Agitated Congress members, who have been demanding a House Committee to probe the rising atrocities against women over the past nine months of the BJP government, started beating cymbals and blowing trumpets near the podium.
BJD members also held placards and shouted slogans demanding proportionate reservations for SC, ST, and OBC candidates in higher education, as well as 27 percent reservations for OBCs in jobs and education.
Speaker Surama Padhy requested the Opposition to return to their seats and participate in the debate, but the adamant members ignored her appeals and continued shouting slogans while beating cymbals and trumpets.
As the situation spiralled out of control, the Speaker, finding no other option, immediately adjourned the House till 11:30 AM.
Soon after the adjournment, BJD members, holding placards, staged a sit-in at the entrance of the Assembly in support of their demands, while Congress members sat in dharna near the Gandhi statue.
When the House reassembled at 11:30 AM, the situation remained unchanged, forcing the Chair to adjourn proceedings again at 11:31 AM until 12:01 PM.
An all-party meeting was convened by the Speaker to diffuse the situation, restore order, and put an end to the stalemate.
Congress Legislature Party leader Ram Chandra Kadam stated that they would continue their protest until the government conceded to their demand for the formation of a House Committee to investigate the rising atrocities against women.
The House was adjourned again for 30 minutes at 12:01 PM until 12:31 PM, followed by a further 15-minute adjournment by Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi until 12:46 PM.
When the House reconvened at 12:46 PM, agitated Opposition members again trooped into the well, shouted slogans, and reiterated their demands.
The Speaker appealed to the Opposition to refrain from creating unruly scenes in the well, maintain the dignity of the House, and cooperate in conducting business.
However, the Opposition members refused to relent and intensified their agitation inside the well, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House at 12:50 PM until 4 PM without transacting any business for the day.
UNI DP BD