After Congress, high drama by BJD MLAs in Odisha Assembly

A day after Congress MLAs created uproar in the Odisha Legislative Assembly that subsequently led to the suspension of all the 14 MLAs, the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) also staged a high-voltage drama on Wednesday, demanding a statement from the Speaker. 

The situation escalated when BJD legislators walked out of the Assembly after Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik insisted on an official clarification regarding the previous day’s incidents.

Tensions soared as BJD MLAs allegedly forcefully broke through barricades and marched out of the Assembly premises in protest. 

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

Meanwhile, outside the House, Congress MLAs continued their agitation, similarly breaking through barricades, leading to chaotic scenes. The unprecedented situation saw opposition lawmakers engaging in parallel demonstrations, further intensifying the political unrest.

The back-to-back disruptions highlight the deepening political rift between the ruling party and the opposition. With protests showing no signs of easing, the Assembly proceedings remain in turmoil, raising concerns over the effective functioning of the House in the days ahead.

BJD MLA Arun Sahoo said, “In Odisha, SC and ST students have deprived of reservations. Congress MLAs have been beaten as if some kind of war is going on just like Russia-Ukraine and Israel and Palestine. Police have also attacked BJD MLAs. The democracy has been murdered as police has entered the Odisha Assembly.”

Another BJD MLA, Ranendra Pratap Swain said, “We are placing our demands in a democratic way. The way one-side step is being taken by the Odisha government is not acceptable. The government needs to change its stand.”