Bhubaneswar: The winter session of the Odisha Assembly began on Tuesday and made obituary references to eminent personalities who passed away recently.
Soon after the house met, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik brought the motion to condole the passing away of former Speaker Maheswar Mohanty, former Minister Saraswati Pradhan, former ruling party chief whip Ajay Kumar Jena, former MLA Rabi Das, former MLA Judhisthir Samantray, former Lance Havaldar Saroj Kumar Das and former BSF Constable Prakash Chandra Sial.
The motion was supported by opposition chief whip Mohan Majhi and Congress legislative party leader Narasingha Mishra. Mishra reportedly used both Odia and Koshali language during his speech.
Members of the House then observed one-minute silence for the departed souls.
The Assembly was adjourned till tomorrow by Speaker Pramila Mallik after the obituary references
The Assembly session commenced after BJD MLA Saluga Pradhan was elected unopposed as the Deputy Speaker. The position was lying vacant after the resignation of Rajani Kant Singh earlier this month.
