Disrespect to national anthem: BJD MLA regrets

Bhubaneswar: After the ruling BJD legislators were in the eye of storm for the alleged disrespect to the national anthem in the State Assembly, party MLA Byomkesh Ray expressed his regret over the unpleasant situation in front of the Speaker and said he had no intention to disregard the national anthem.

The MLA said he has much respect for the national anthem and he raised the anti-slogans in the house during rendition of the song out of excitement. “No such event will be repeated in the future,” he added.

Notably, members of the treasury benches raised slogans against the Centre over the Mahanadi and Polavaram issues soon after the House assembled. Ray was the first to stand on his seat and shout when the national anthem was being played in the House. The legislators stopped sloganeering after receiving warning signals from fellow members. Soon after the national anthem, the house was adjourned till 3pm.

Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra lambasted Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Speaker Niranjan Pujari saying that both the CM and the Speaker have murdered the democracy and the CM should give resignation on moral grounds.