Vikash Sharma

Bhubaneswar: Besides blocking roads and picketing on streets of Bhubaneswar, the Congress-led Bharat Bandh over fuel price hike had its effect on the Odisha Assembly as well.

The proceedings of the Assembly had to be adjourned till tomorrow following the pandemonium created by Congress members over the fuel price rise issue.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also reached the Assembly late by almost four minutes and two seconds which shows that the Bharat Bandh was successful, claimed Senior Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati.

“Despite the fact that the Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik was to brief the House in connection with a question regarding Home Department, he arrived in Assembly late by four minutes and Odisha Speaker remained silent on it,” said Bahinipati.

BJP MLA Pradip Purohit on the other hand claimed that, “Due to the ongoing nexus between BJD and Congress, CM Naveen Patnaik intentionally came late to Assembly.”

BJD spokesperson Sameer Dash said, “Odisha Speaker was doing his duty and in no way did he try to delay the proceedings of the House. It is not a big deal if CM Naveen Patnaik reached at 10:40 am instead of 10:30 AM today. The CM was present during the Question hour.”

Also Read: Congress’ Bharat Bandh over fuel price throws normal life out of gear

On the other hand, the BJP MLAs tried to corner the BJD by raking up the cooperative bank loan scam allegations brought by former minister Damodar Rout.

Earlier, Congress activists led by OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik staged a dharna in front of Odisha Assembly. They were seen stopping the vehicles of MLAs, Ministers and IPS officers outside the Assembly gate.

Congress activists were also seen giving flowers and chocolates to many people urging them to extend support to the Bharat Bandh today.

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