BJP alleges OPCC chief behind disruptions in Odisha Assembly, Congress responds

Odisha Legislative Assembly has been facing pandemonium by Opposition parties for the last few days and daily businesses of the House are getting hampered. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Jayanarayan Mishra ignited a controversy on Friday with accusations directed at the Congress party.

Also Read: Pandemonium in Odisha Assembly stalls House proceedings for third consecutive day

In the wake of a persistent standstill, an all-party meeting was held today. However, the Sambalpur legislator alleged that Congress MLAs are operating under instructions from their Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president, rather than acting independently.

Accusations of BJP MLA Jayanarayan

“An all-party meeting was convened, which was attended by two of their (Congress) leaders, including its legislature party leader (Rama Chandra Kadam) and Bahinipati (Tara Prasad). They said that ‘we are creating ruckus because our party president (PCC chief Bhakta Charan Das) has instructed us to do so. Otherwise, we are not interested for this (ruckus)’,” by quoting Bahinipati, Jayanarayan Mishra stated to mediapersons.

“How the House will run if persons from outside will decide whether it will run or not. We asked them to protest peacefully without disturbing others,” the BJP MLA added.

Bahinipati counters the allegations

Mishra’s claims drew a sharp rebuttal from senior Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati, who categorically denied the allegations, asserting, “Jayanarayan Mishra is lying. We did not say anything of the sort.”

“The Government suspended me for seven days, thereby killing the ‘democracy’. Discussions are not being held. Running the House is the lookout of the ruling party. They (BJP) are trying to forcibly run the Assembly. We had a demand for the formation of a House Committee. To protest against my suspension and the rising cases of violence against women, we will gherao Legislative Assembly on March 27,” the Congress leader said.

Must Read: Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati suspended for 7 days for ‘misconduct’ in Odisha Assembly

Much left to speculation—are MLA Mishra's allegations substantial or is Tara Bahinipati’s defence more credible? In the interim, essential legislative business has been hampered as the Question Hour has been consistently disrupted by relentless protests.
The Legislative Assembly has been rendered non-functional.