Little business could be transacted on the second day of the winter session of the State Assembly on Friday as the House witnessed pandemonium resulting in frequent adjournments as both opposition and ruling party legislators resorted to slogan shouting and display of banners and placards against each other.
Trouble began soon after the House condoled the death of former legislator and Member of Parliament Ainthu Sahu (86) who passed away on Thursday.
Legislators of both opposition Congress and ruling Biju Janata Dal rushed to the well of the House with placards in their hands as soon as the question hour began after a few leaders spoke to condole the death of Sahu.
In their placards, the opposition legislators alleged that the ruling Biju Janata Dal had won the recently held urban body polls in western Odisha by use of money power.
They also blamed the State government for the deteriorating law and order situation in the State, and inaction against the authorities of Bhushan Steel Ltd located at Meramundali in Dhenkanal district where three labourers were killed recently and many were injured in a major fire on November 13.
In a well-planned action, the ruling party legislators stood up and displayed banners condemning the Congress led United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre for not releasing any financial assistance for the relief and restoration of cyclone and flood victims so far.
As a result, the proceedings had to be adjourned thrice and finally till 5 p.m. after repeated disruptions caused by both the opposition and ruling party legislators.
After the House was adjourned first time till 12 noon, the BJD legislators staged a dharna near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi inside the Assembly premises with placards denouncing the alleged Central neglect.
Normalcy could not restored even when the House reassembled at 5 p.m.
The proceedings were adjourned for the day minutes after Finance Minister Prasanna Acharya laid the supplementary budget of Rs. 9,421.25 crore for approval amid uproar by opposition members on various issues.
