The Odisha Assembly witnessed chaos again today as opposition members from BJD and Congress pressed for the resignation of Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling over the SCB Hospital fire incident.
For the third consecutive day, opposition parties stalled proceedings, accusing the government of negligence. On Wednesday, they staged a symbolic protest by placing a mock coffin representing the Health Department inside the House. Today, they carried posters and banners, raising slogans such as “Health Minister must resign” and “Ram Naam Satya Hai.”
During Question Hour, BJP MLA Amarendra Das raised a query, which the Health Minister answered instead of the Revenue Minister. Opposition members intensified their protest, forcing Speaker Surama Padhy to adjourn the House from 10:43 AM to 11:30 AM.
Later, in Zero Hour, opposition members attempted to march towards the Speaker’s chair. Security personnel intervened and stopped BJD MLAs Yogesh Singh, Bishnu Mallik, Pradeep Sahu, Prashant Behera, Sarada Jena, Rohit Joseph Tirkey, Roma Ranjan Biswal, Madhab Dhada, and Congress MLA Mangu Khilla.
Meanwhile, BJP legislators criticised the disruption, highlighting that the government had already suspended four officials and initiated an inquiry. They argued that discussions should focus on preventing future tragedies and strengthening hospital safety measures.
Speaker Padhy convened an all-party meeting to restore order, but it failed to yield results. Deputy Speaker Bhavani Shankar Bhoi later adjourned the House until 4 PM.
