The Odisha Assembly descended into chaos on Friday as senior Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati returned after a week-long suspension.
His dramatic comeback, accompanied by Congress MLAs dressed in black and carrying bells, mahuri, shehnai, gini, and flutes, led to the adjournment of the House within two minutes.
The Congress legislators, led by Bahinipati, stormed into the Assembly, ringing bells and playing instruments, creating a cacophony that disrupted proceedings. Speaker Surama Padhy attempted to continue the question-and-answer session, but the uproar intensified as BJD MLAs joined the commotion. Minister Nityananda Gond managed to respond to one question before the session was adjourned.
The disruptions persisted throughout the day, with multiple adjournments and a procession by Congress MLAs around the assembly premises. The Congress members claimed their actions were aimed at amplifying the voices of women facing abuse, demanding immediate government attention.
The Assembly is expected to reconvene later in the day amidst heightened tensions.
