Odisha Assembly: Uproar over delay in Lokayukta appointment continues

Bhubaneswar: Opposition Congress and BJP members today created uproarious scenes in the Odisha Assembly over delay in appointment of Lokayukta for the third consecutive day, resulting in adjournment of the House.

As soon as the House assembled for the day, both Congress and BJP MLAs rushed to the well of the House holding banners levelling corruption charges against the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government and created ruckus by shouting slogans.

Amid pandemonium, Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat adjourned the House initially till 11.30 am and later till 3 pm as ruckus prevailed after the House reassembled. The Speaker also convened an all-party meeting at 3 pm to resolve the deadlock.

The state government will make a statement in the House tomorrow over the Lokayukta matter, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said after the meeting.

The House was later adjourned by the Speaker till tomorrow.

The Assembly had also witnessed similar scenes yesterday as the Opposition members created din in the House protesting delay in appointment of Lokayukta and implementation of Odisha Lokayukta Act in the state.

“We have been demanding appointment of Lokayukta for the last couple of days in the Assembly. But the state government is mum over the matter. The government is not taking any step in this regard due to fear of getting exposed over involvement in several scams. We protested it today in the House,” said BJP MLA Rabi Naik speaking to reporters outside the House.

Narasingha Mishra said the state government is deliberately delaying the appointment of the Lokayukta.

“It is not fair to create ruckus during the Question Hour. If they (Opposition members) have any issue, they can raise it during the Zero Hour,” said BJD member Damodar Rout outside the House.