Odisha Assembly’s Winter Session begins on stormy note

Bhubaneswar: Uproarious scenes marked the commencement of Winter Session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly today as opposition Congress and BJP members created ruckus resulting in adjournment of the House till 3 pm.

As the House assembled for the session, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Leader of Opposition Pradipta Kumar Naik and Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra made obituary references on the demise of former MLAs Sahura Mallick, Udit Pratap Deo, Brundaban Patra and ex-OAPF jawan Jayaram Kabasi.

Congress and BJP members then rushed to the well of the House and created ruckus demanding discussion on safety of women in the state and cancellation of the Question Hour. As pandemonium prevailed, Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro adjourned the House till 3 pm.

“It is unfortunate that the Speaker didn’t pay any attention towards our demand. We were trying to know the truth behind the murder of Haridaspur village level worker (VLW) Smitarani Biswal by discussion in the House. However, the Speaker adjourned the House and it is highly unfortunate,” said Leader of Opposition Pradipta Kumar Naik speaking to reporters outside the House.

“Narasingha Mishra had urged the Speaker for a discussion in the House over the safety of women in the state. We had demanded suspension of the Question Hour for the purpose. However, the Speaker adjourned the House intentionally,” said Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati to mediapersons.