BJP and Congress MLAs scuffle in Odisha Assembly

A heated altercation broke out between BJP MLA Jaynarayan Mishra and Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati inside the Odisha Assembly during the Question Hour on Tuesday. 

According to sources, the verbal spat quickly escalated into a physical confrontation, leaving other members present in the House in a state of shock.

Tension erupted in the House when senior BJP lawmaker Jaynarayan Mishra rushed towards Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati, who was standing in front of Urban Development Minister K C Mohapatra when the minister was replying to a question.

"Mishra caught hold of my shirt collar and pushed me. I was requesting minister Mohapatra to stop giving a reply when the House was not in the order. I requested him with folding hands. But, Mishra suddenly came up to me and caught hold of my collar," Bahinipati told reporters outside the House.

Soon, other members of the treasury bench and the Congress also scuffled following which Speaker Padhy adjourned the proceedings. The House plunged into chaos as BJP and Congress members pushed one another.

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BJD members were also in the well but did not participate in the scuffle.

BJD, Congress Stage Protest

The opposition BJD and Congress members were protesting on separate issues.

While the BJD members demanded a statement from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi over Mishra's remark referring to the merger of erstwhile Koshala with Odisha in 1936 as a "historical mistake", Congress MLAs agitated over the alleged increase in the crimes against women in the state.

This was the second day that the House witnessed turmoil.

Speaker Padhy allowed Question Hour for around 30 minutes amid protests by the opposition.

BJD's Lantern Protest

With the CM not coming to the House for the last two days, the BJD members launched a symbolic "search" for him on the assembly premises with a lantern. The BJD MLAs also staged a sit-in in front of the CM's chamber.

Who Said What

“The Speaker should treat all parties equally. But, she is killing the democracy. When we Congress MLA requested the minister to stop his speech, MLA Jayanarayan Mishra grabbed me by my collar. As they have majority, they made us to leave House by scuffling with us,” alleged Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati.

Commenting on the matter, BJD MLA Arun Sahoo said, “Despite strong opposition, the Speaker was forcibly running the House. Is it right the way Jayanarayan Mishra grabbed the collar of Tara Bahinipati? It has never happened earlier.”

“The BJD which was ruling the State since last 24 years has became so intolerant that they have stalled the House proceedings since last three days. They did not even hesitate to scuffle with the Minister. This is very unfortunate. I think they don’t have decency and morality,” said BJP MLA Ashok Mohanty.