Odisha MLA Pradeep Panigrahi Stages Dharna Before Speaker’s Podium; Assembly Adjourned Till 4 PM Amid Uproar

Bhubaneswar: As the Odisha Assembly witnessed uproarious scenes on Thursday, Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi staged a sit-in while lashed out at the state government.

The former Minister, who has been expelled from the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), alleged that he was not being given an opportunity to ask questions in the House.

Claiming that he was not being allowed to raise any question, the legislator staged dharna in front of the Speaker’s podium, sources said, adding that Panigrahi later left the place following an appeal by the Speaker.

Though the proceedings of the House began normally on the 5th day of the ongoing monsoon session, uproarious scenes were seen during the zero hour when the opposition legislators hit out at the government over several issues.

As the ruling BJD members confronted the opposition, the house witnessed pandemonium. When it became difficult to conduct business, the House was adjourned till 4 pm.