LoP Feels Unsafe Inside Odisha Assembly & Outside; Political Drama, Retorts BJD

Bhubaneswar: Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jayanarayan Mishra on Saturday alleged that protests are being conducted in front of his house in Sambalpur in a planned manner and there is a threat to his life.

“The BJD activists had earlier barged into the circuit house in Sambalpur, looking for me. Had I been there, I could have been killed. I am feeling unsafe inside the Assembly and outside. I am not seeking protection and had returned the security personnel. But if anything happens to me or my family then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will be responsible for it.” he told mediapersons.

Jayanarayan also accused the ruling BJD of conspiring to stall the proceedings of the House, which is in session. “While the opposition is being barred from raising any issue in the Assembly, unparliamentary and personal comments by the ruling members are not being expunged from the records. Instead of being apolitical and impartial, the Speaker is working like a puppet of the ruling party,” he further alleged. 

Responding to the allegations, BJD leader Pratap Keshari Deb dubbed it as a political drama. “It is an attempt to diverted the attention from the unruly behaviour of the saffron party members in the House and disrespect shown by them to the Speaker,” he added.

Notably, proceedings of the Odisha Assembly have been adjourned till 4 pm following a ruckus over the suspension of two BJP MLAs.

Also Read: Odisha Assembly Adjourned Till 4 PM Amid Pandemonium By BJP MLAs

Terming the non-functioning of the Assembly as unfortunate, senior Congress MLA Narasingha Mishra said that it is the responsibility of the ruling party ensure smooth functioning of the House. “Opposition will oppose, but the government must ensure smooth functioning of the House. Due to adjournment of the House, issues of state interest could not be discussed. The Speaker should have instead adjourned the House for an hour and called an all-party meeting to resolve the deadlock,” he said.

He further said that the government is on the back foot and terrified of Opposition’s questions. “Following in the footsteps of the BJP at the Centre, the ruling BJD has resorted to suspending legislators. The government should show tolerance and revoke the suspension of the MLAs to help allow the House to function,” he added.

Also Read: 2 BJP MLAs Suspended For ‘Throwing Pulses’ At Speaker’s Podium In Odisha Assembly