Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly on Thursday was adjourned twice on the second day of its second phase budget session over the Mahanadi issue.
As soon as the Question Hour began, leader of the Opposition Narasingh Mishra urged the Speaker Pradip Amat to initiate a discussion on Mahanadi issue. But as the Speaker ignored his demand and ordered resumption of Question Hour session, the irate Congress members rushed to the well of the House shouting slogans against the state government and tried to climb the Speaker’s podium.
Unable to run the House, the Speaker adjourned the House till 11.30 am.
The Speaker again had to adjourn the House till 3 pm as the Opposition Congress members created uproar in the well of the House during zero hour, reiterating their demand for a discussion on Mahanadi issue.
“I had requested the Speaker to cancel the Question Hour and initiate discussion on Mahanadi issue. But the Speaker did not consider my request and directed resumption of the Question hour. The directive of the Speaker was protested by my party workers,” Mishra told mediapersons later.
He said he had requested the Speaker that the House Committee formed under the chairmanship of the chief minister should convene an all-party meeting to discuss the Mahanadi issue. But the Speaker turned down the request.
On the other hand, BJP member Pradip Purohit said he would observe fast under the Speaker’s podium till 5 pm, protesting against the failure of the state government in fulfilling his demands which it had assured in the House, and the manner in which the ruling members have disrupted the House proceedings in gross violation of its sanctity.
After adjourning the House for the second time, the Speaker convened an all-party meeting to resolve the issue.
Talking to mediapersons after the meeting, Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati said it was unanimously decided that the House will have a discussion on Mahanadi issue on Friday.
“The Question Hour will be suspended and during the period the Mahanadi issue would be discussed. Besides, the Speaker also directed Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Surya Patra to reply to the adjournment motion notice brought by the Congress on rampant corruption in paddy procurement in Kendrapara district,” he added.
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