The Odisha Assembly was adjourned twice on Monday following uproarious scenes created by Opposition BJD and Congress legislators over a controversial remark made by BJP MLA Jay Narayan Mishra and concerns about rising crimes against women in the state.
The House witnessed chaos as soon as it paid homage to former minister Ananta Charan Das, who passed away on Sunday. BJD members demanded a statement from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi regarding Mishra’s remark at an official function in Sambalpur, where he described the merger of Koshala with Odisha in 1936 as a “historical mistake.”
Congress MLAs, on the other hand, raised the issue of increasing crimes against women across the state. Opposition members trooped into the well of the House, holding placards and shouting slogans. Senior Congress member Taraprasad Bahinipati was seen climbing onto the Speaker’s podium.
Unable to conduct the proceedings, Speaker Surama Padhy adjourned the House till 12:09 pm. However, the pandemonium continued when the House reconvened, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the session again till 2 pm.
Amid the adjournments, agitating BJD members staged a sit-in within the assembly premises, accusing Mishra of making divisive remarks and disrespecting the state anthem. Congress MLAs also held a dharna near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.
