Odisha Assembly Speaker’s ‘No Ruckus’ Remark Creates ‘Ruckus; Know Why

Bhubaneswar: In a pointer to what lies ahead, Opposition leaders created a “ruckus” today, soon after Odisha Assembly Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro said that members should not create ruckus or disturbance during Question Hour in the Winter Session, which begins on December 1.

Ahead of the start of the Winter Session, Patro today convened an all-party meeting, where he said members would be apprised about how they should conduct themselves in the House.

He said that members would be told not to create ruckus during discussions or Question Hour, in line with decisions taken at the Assembly Speakers’ conference in Shimla this month to ensure smooth functioning of House sessions.

Patro’s “no ruckus” remark created a “ruckus” even before the start of the Winter Session.

Opposition leaders reacted sharply.

“We cannot remain silent. We will raise our voice over different issues. We will oppose if the Speaker puts forth this at all-party meet. Where in law is it mentioned that legislators cannot stage protest in Assembly? As Opposition, we will perform our duties,” said Opposition chief whip Mohan Majhi.

“If the Speaker doesn’t allow the House to debate critical and important issues, we will create uproar. We will listen to him only if he listens to us,” said Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinitipati.

The Winter Session will conclude on December 31. The Opposition BJP and Congress plan to corner the BJD-led Naveen Patnaik government in the Mamita Meher murder case.