BJP stages walkout protesting supplementary demand passage 'without' discussion in Assembly

Bhubaneswar: BJP stages walkout over supplementary demand passage in Assembly through guillotine
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Assembly on Friday witnessed noisy scenes with BJP MLAs protesting the passage of the first special supplementary budget, 'without' discussion on it in the House. The members later staged a walkout alleging the unconstitutional approach of the State government.

The issue was raised by BJP chief whip Mohan Majhi, who criticised the state government for passing the supplementary demand through guillotine.

The party chief whip said, "The Contingency Fund has been misutilised by the State government. The passage of supplementary demand without discussion is against democratic practice. We protest this and will meet Governor in this regard."

He said the first special supplementary statement of expenditure for 'recoupment of advance' from the Odisha Contingency Fund was passed on Thursday afternoon, when the House was "not in order due to ruckus by Congress members".

Agitating BJP members rushed to the Well of the House, and even attempted to climb the Speaker's podium. They also shouted slogans, accusing the Odisha government of not taking the House into confidence.

Appeals by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh and Speaker SN Patro had no impact on the saffron party members, as they continued to remain in the Well. The House was then adjourned till 3 pm.
The BJP MLAs later staged a walkout as part of their protest.

Later in the day, a delegation of the BJP met Governor Ganeshi Lal complaining about the passage of the supplementary demand. They also alleged that the government has not utilised the Contingency Fund properly.

[With Agency Inputs]