Most of the BJP MLAs are criminals: Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati

Amidst the pandemonium that was witnessed in the Odisha Assembly on Tuesday after members of the ruling BJP and opposition Congress scuffled in the well of the House, Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati alleged that most of the BJP MLAs are criminals.

“They caught hold of my shirt collar and I requested the minister (K C Mohapatra) with folded hands to leave me… This led to the scuffle. We follow the ideologies of Mahatma Gandhi, and staged a protest,” Bahinipati told ANI.

We Will Not Be Scared: MLA Bahinipati

On reports that attempts are being made to suspend Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, he said, “Let them suspend me as it is in their hands. We will not get scared. They cannot hang me.”

What Happened In Odisha Assembly Today? 

Tension erupted in Odisha Assembly during Question Hour when senior BJP MLA Jayanarayan 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.

Also Read: BJP and Congress MLAs scuffle in Odisha Assembly

The minister was giving the reply amid ruckus by the Opposition BJD and the Congress members.

Earlier, Congress MLA Bahinipati attempted to climb the Speaker's podium as a bid to stall the proceedings but failed, with Speaker Surama Padhy allowing Question Hour amid the din. Thereafter, the Congress MLA approached the minister asking him to stop giving the reply as the opposition members were protesting in the well.

"Jayanarayan 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 order. I requested him with folded hands. But, Mishra suddenly came up to me and caught hold of my collar," Bahinipati alleged outside the House.

Soon, other members of the treasury bench allegedly rushed to the well of the House and scuffled with the Congress members who were present there and raised anti-government slogans.

As the chaos prevailed, the Odisha Speaker first adjourned the proceedings till noon and, later, three more times.