Pandemonium erupted in Odisha Assembly for the sixth consecutive day on Wednesday with the BJP members pressing the speaker for a discussion on the chit fund scam, leading to adjournment of the House till tomorrow.
However, the government managed to pass the Odisha Pani Panchayat (Amendment) Bill, 2014 in the post lunch session as the ruling members sat in their seats though the opposition Congress and BJP created ruckus in well.
As soon as the House assembled for the day for Question Hour, BJP members holding banners and raising slogans for a discussion on the chit fund scam, captured the Speaker’s podium and tried to prevent him from taking his seat.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, Speaker Niranjan Pujari occupied his chair with BJP members including leader of BJP legislature party Basant Panda standing on his podium.
Ruling BJD members also rushed to well raising anti-Centre slogans leading to noisy scenes. Congress members stood up from their seats and protested in silence with black cloth bands on their mouths before Speaker adjourned the House first till 11.30 am and then 3 pm.
Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress blamed the treasury bench for stalling the House for days together.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It is seen that the Speaker adjourns the House when the BJD members rush to well. When opposition members protest in the well, the speaker asks ministers to introduce bills,” Mishra said.
“Treasury bench members stalling proceedings by coming into the well of House in the presence of the chief minister is probably the rarest anywhere in the country. This is most unfortunate and I condemn it,” Mishra said outside the House.
BJP state president and former minister K V Singhdeo justified his party MLAs action and claimed that there was nothing undemocratic in climbing the Speakers podium.
“The Speaker should suspend the BJP members who prevented him to occupy his chair,” said BJD spokesman and MLA Samir Ranjan Dash.
The House was adjourned till tomorrow after passing Odisha Pani Panchayat (Amendment) Bill, 2014.