Odisha’s Revenue Minister, Suresh Pujari, strongly criticized the opposition parties, including BJD and Congress, for their conduct in the Legislative Assembly.
He described their behaviour as unparliamentary and detrimental to democratic norms. The Minister pointed out that the Assembly could only function for 31 hours over 18 days due to repeated disruptions.
Highlighting the importance of addressing state-related issues, Pujari urged the opposition to engage in meaningful discussions rather than resorting to disruptive tactics. He also referenced similar incidents in other state assemblies, emphasizing the need for decorum and respect in parliamentary proceedings.
The Minister further criticized the opposition for their actions, such as banging desks and attempting to climb the Speaker’s podium, questioning the appropriateness of such behaviour. He called for a more respectful approach to ensure the Assembly’s smooth functioning and warned that the public would not forgive such conduct.
The Revenue Minister addressed a press conference, stating that in the past, the opposition has disrupted the proceedings in the House for both Parliament and various state assemblies, including in Odisha and others. In the Karnataka Assembly, 18 BJP MLAs were suspended for six months, while in the Delhi Assembly, 21 MLAs faced suspension. He recalled an incident in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly where an MLA was brought in an ambulance, bloodied. He also referenced past occurrences such as Jayalalitha being involved in an accident and being brought into the House. The opposition consistently obstructs Assembly proceedings, and it has been a long time since they effectively participated in the Odisha Assembly.
While the opposition has the right to protest with dignity, their recent behaviour and rhetoric have been disrespectful to the Assembly. The people of Odisha are being insulted by such conduct. There are laws governing behaviour in the Assembly, and if the law-making body fails to adhere to its own regulations, it raises concerns. The High Court and the Supreme Court have previously commented on the decorum expected in the Assembly. Actions like blowing whistles in front of the Speaker and climbing up to the Speaker’s podium have occurred, with some members of the opposition disrespecting the Speaker’s seat and snatching microphones.
The Revenue Minister questioned such unorthodox behaviours, stating, “What kind of tradition is it to play flutes and use gini instruments in the Assembly?” To address these ongoing issues, the Speaker has organized three all-party meetings and a special committee for managing sessions. However, in the past 18 days, the Assembly has been unable to function for 31 hours, despite being funded by taxpayers’ money. The elected representatives are receiving salaries for their presence, and the Assembly’s Question Hour is crucial as it holds all government ministers accountable. Unfortunately, the opposition has continually disrupted this hour.
Additionally, during recess, members have opportunities to discuss various issues, but the opposition’s noise prevents this from happening. The unacceptable behaviour of the opposition shows a clear disregard for proper legislative decorum. Odisha is known for its peaceful nature, and issues can be resolved through dialogue. The government is open to discussing all matters, yet the opposition has not utilized the adjournment privilege for pertinent discussions. Even when their motions are accepted, they often fail to participate in talks. Their stance appears to be one of obstruction, preventing both their own voices and those of others from being heard in parliamentary democracy.
The Revenue Minister expressed a challenge to the opposition to engage in discussions, asserting that the government is ready to address any issue. He cautioned that the people of Odisha would not forgive them for their inaction.
During the press conference, the Revenue Minister also sharply criticized the Congress party. He noted that such disruptive behaviour is not new for Congress, as they seem to engage in these tactics to gain media attention and public visibility, especially as the party has been declining in elections. In the 2024 elections, Congress received only 13% of the votes, a stark contrast to a time when they garnered 60% of the votes in Odisha. Currently, many Congress candidates are polling below 5,000 votes in assembly seats, with some even receiving fewer votes than the None of the Above (NOTA) option. He emphasized that this is not how to regain public trust, urging Congress to improve its performance.
The Minister recounted an incident on the 20th when he and the Urban Development Minister visited areas affected by Baisakhi rains and observed the opposition inciting locals to block roads and obstruct the delivery of government assistance. He condemned these actions, highlighting that the opposition never attempts to understand the people’s challenges. Whenever the government attempts to implement supportive measures, the opposition creates obstacles. Therefore, the Minister has appealed to the opposition to refrain from such behaviour. He concluded by reminding everyone that in a democratic tradition, the party with the least number of MLAs occupies the opposition seats.
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Gokulananda Mallick, and BJP MLA Irasis Acharya were present at the press conference.
