Uproarious scenes unfolded in the Odisha Assembly today as a heated scuffle ensued between the ruling and the opposition members.
The altercation began during the Question Hour when BJD and Congress MLAs rushed to the well of the House, brandishing placards and raising slogans.
The BJD members were protesting against the controversial statement made by BJP MLA Jayanarayan Mishra regarding Koshal’s merger with Odisha, while Congress legislators expressed their outrage over the rising incidents of crimes against women in the state.
The situation quickly escalated as some members attempted to climb atop the podium of Speaker Surama Padhy. The confrontation took a physical turn when Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati and Jayanarayan Mishra were reportedly involved in a tussle. Amid the chaos, the Speaker adjourned the House till 12:00.
Following the adjournment, BJD MLAs staged a sit-in outside the Chief Minister’s chamber, demanding a statement from him on Jayanarayan Mishra’s remarks. Concurrently, Congress MLAs, led by Tara Prasad Bahinipati, held a protest near the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Assembly premises to draw attention to the surge in crimes against women.
This tumultuous episode highlights the growing tensions and polarizing issues within the Odisha political landscape.