Odisha Assembly Monsoon Session begins on stormy note; House adjourned

Bhubaneswar:  The first day of Odisha Assembly’s Monsoon Session today began on a stormy note as Congress members created a ruckus in the House demanding a discussion on drought-like situation in the state.

Following a condolence motion moved by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik via video conference as a mark of tribute to former Minister late Bijayshree Routray and other senior leaders,  Congress legislators staged protest. A group of the party MLAs led by senior leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati went to the Well of the House and shouted slogans demanding suspension of Question Hour for a discussion on drought-like situation. Congress Legislative Party (CLP) Leader Narasingha Mishra also made a written appeal to Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro for the same.

However, the Speaker did not consider the demand citing that Opposition BJP moved an adjournment motion on similar topic. But the Congress legislators continued their protest with party senior leader attempting to climb atop the podium. Unable to run the House, the Speaker adjourned it till 12.34 pm.

Leader of Opposition (LoP) Pradipta Naik, who is still under medication at AIIMS for COVID-19 infection, attended the session through VC in hospital.