Now all 14 Congress MLAs suspended from Odisha Assembly after repeated disruptions

The Odisha Legislative Assembly on Wednesday again witnessed high drama as Congress MLAs Tara Bahinipati and Ramesh Jena were suspended for seven days for allegedly disrupting House proceedings. Speaker of the Assembly took the decision following their repeated disorderly conduct despite warnings.

The suspension comes a day after 12 other Congress MLAs faced similar action, bringing the total number of suspended Congress legislators to 14. The ongoing turmoil has led to intense confrontations outside the Assembly between Congress workers and the police.

Earlier in the day, the suspended Congress MLAs staged a protest march from Master Canteen Square towards the Assembly, beating gongs and playing other musical instruments as a mark of dissent. However, they were stopped by security personnel at the main gate, leading to heated altercations.

Frustrated by being denied entry, the suspended MLAs, along with other party leaders and workers, staged a sit-in demonstration outside the Assembly premises.

Also Read: 12 Congress MLAs suspended from Odisha Assembly for unruly behaviour

The Congress party has strongly opposed the suspensions, calling them an attempt to suppress the voice of the opposition. 

Also Read: Odisha Assembly Speaker directs marshals to remove suspended Congress MLAs

Meanwhile, heavy security has been deployed around the Assembly to prevent further escalation. The political tension is expected to continue as the Congress party vows to intensify its protest against the state government in the coming days.

Reaction of Suspended Congress MLAs

Suspended Congress MLA Mangu Khilla said, “Why the Odisha government is murdering the democracy. We are suspended but we can go inside and stage a protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue. But we are not being allowed.”

Also Read: Master Canteen Square turns into night shelter as Congress MLAs continue protest over suspension

Another Congress MLA, CS Ekka said, “We should have been allowed to lobby inside the Odisha Assembly. But nobody is being allowed. This is the way the Odisha government is attempting to suppress our voice.”

On suspension of party MLAs, Congress MP, Satpagiri Ulaka said, “ This is totally injustice. Have People have voted BJP to power to implement the Gujarat model? We had never seen this before in Odisha. The people of Odisha will never tolerate this.”