The Odisha Legislative Assembly saw another truncated sitting on Monday as the second phase of the seventh monsoon session of the 17th Assembly opened with fresh political turbulence.
The House met at 11:30 AM under Speaker Surama Padhy. Proceedings lasted barely 48 minutes. At 11:39 AM, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) legislators walked out in protest over unresolved issues that have already stalled much of the session. After the opposition’s departure, the Speaker adjourned the House at 12:18 PM until 4 PM, seeking to restore order and take up scheduled legislative business later in the day.
Monday was the fifth working day of the session, which began on September 22 and is scheduled to run until October 3. The first four sittings were repeatedly disrupted by opposition protests over alleged errors in school textbooks and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026. BJD and Congress members have demanded accountability on textbooks and a rollback of the mining law, arguing it weakens the state’s control over mineral resources and revenue. The ruling BJP has accused the opposition of blocking debate instead of using the House.
Opposition parties had earlier announced plans to intensify agitation around the Assembly on September 28 and 29. Whether the afternoon sitting from 4 PM proceeds without further walkouts will decide if any official business can be transacted after four largely washed-out days.
