The second phase of the Odisha Assembly’s budget session began on a turbulent note on Friday, marked by protests from both the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress.
Before the Assembly proceedings, Congress MLAs, led by Congress Legislature Party Leader Ram Chandra Kadam, staged a demonstration at the Gandhi statue within the Assembly premises. The protest aimed to highlight the alleged deteriorating safety of women in Odisha.
Kadam criticized the state government, stating, “The Odisha government has failed to deliver in the past eight months. The overall law and order situation has collapsed.” He emphasized that Odisha’s progress hinges on ensuring women’s safety, pointing to disturbing incidents involving minor girls as evidence of the state’s failures.
Adding to the chaos, BJD legislators created a ruckus inside the Assembly over the state government’s decision to discontinue celebrating March 5, former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik’s birthday, as Panchayati Raj Diwas.
Meanwhile, no comments were received from BJP leaders regarding the Congress’s allegations, keeping the political atmosphere tense.
The Assembly session is expected to continue under the shadow of these heated protests and demands.
