BJP MLA Says Rules Prescribe Action For Disturbance During Governor’s Address In Odisha Assembly

Bhubaneswar: Two days after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling said Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik can be arrested over disturbance during Governor’s address in Odisha Assembly, a BJP MLA endorsed his views and said such disruption can invite action as per House rules.

Speaking on the issue, BJP MLA from Bhatli Irasis Acharya said that norms to be observed by the members during Governor’s address in the Assembly have been laid down.

These norms have been mentioned in rule 18 of amendment on motion of thanks on Governor’s address, he said.

Similarly, action for disturbance during Governor’s address in the House had been recommended by a committee appointed by the then Speaker in April, 1968, Acharya claimed.

The BJP legislator also went on to state what action can be taken in case of disruption and disturbance during Governor’s address in the Assembly. Chapter 2 also lays down what action can be taken in such cases, he said.

Notably, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling had on Tuesday stated that BJD president and (LoP) Naveen Patnaik can be arrested over alleged disturbance during Governor’s address in the House on the opening day of the Budget session of the Assembly on Monday.

Mahaling alleged that the rules of the House were breached by the LoP for which appropriate action can be initiated.

Endorsing Mahaling’s views, Minister of State for Sports and Youth Services Suryabanshi Suraj had said rules clearly state that under no circumstances any form of indiscipline will be tolerated during the President or Governor’s address.
Reacting sharply to the statements of the BJP leaders, BJD MLA Arun Sahoo termed the demand

laughable and said that such remarks show their lack of experience and maturity.
Asking BJP to refrain from making such ‘ridiculous’ statements, the former Minister said he has never seen anyone getting arrested over any Assembly or Parliament proceedings.