Stalemate Continues In Odisha Assembly, Speaker Adjourns House Till 4 PM

The Odisha Assembly continued to witness pandemonium for the fifth day of its Winter Session on Monday with the Opposition creating ruckus demanding ouster of Minister Dibya Shankar Mishra in connection with lady teacher Mamita Meher murder case.

Soon after the Assembly proceedings began today, both Opposition BJP and Congress rushed into the well of the House and gheraoed the podium of Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro demanding dismissal of Dibya Shankar Mishra, the Minister of State for Home. Following the ruckus, Patro adjourned proceedings till 4 pm today.

“We have decided to hand over a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik as he is neither coming to the Assembly nor listening to anyone. We request him to come to the House and as Home Minister give reply during discussion on the Mamita Meher murder case,” said BJP deputy leader in the Assembly, Bishnu Sethi.

“Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik should intervene for smooth functioning of the House. It is unfortunate that the Speaker has not convened an all-party meeting. He is acting like a puppet of the BJD,” alleged Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati. 

Meanwhile, BJD legislators launched a counter-attack on the BJP by wearing facemask of freedom fighter Jayi Rajaguru and demanding declaration of the Paika Rebellion as the First War of Independence. They also staged a dharna near Gandhi statue on the premises of the Assembly. 

Speaking about the demand, Minister Ashok Panda said, “The State government had sent a proposal to the Union Culture Ministry for setting up a martial art institution in Odisha. The Bridge and Roof Corporation had also prepared a DPR (detailed project report) in this regard. However, the Centre did not approve the DPR.”