Odisha

Opposition Flays Absence of BJD MLAs, Ministers in Assembly

By
OB Bureau

Bhubaneswar: The Opposition Congress and BJP members on Wednesday created a ruckus in the Odisha Assembly over the absence of the ruling BJD MLAs and ministers.

Drawing the attention of the Speaker, leader of the Opposition, Pradipta Naik said out of 112 BJD MLAs, including 21 ministers, only 61 MLAs and eight ministers are present in the House.

Stating that BJD MLAs and ministers including the Chief Minister are now engaged in the poll campaign in Patkura, Naik said as per the guidelines of the model code of conduct, no party is allowed to talk to any government official. But the Chief Minister has gone to Patkura to distribute rice and old age pension in gross violation of the model code.

“The BJD leaders are boasting that their party is abiding by the ideology of Biju Babu. But the fact remains that Biju Babu had never indulged in a bypoll campaign while his son is campaigning in each bypoll,” he pointed out.

Congress member Santosh Singh Saluja, said that in the absence of the ministers, a handful of ministers present in the House are replying on their behalf.

“Legislators prepare the starred questions two weeks in advance and are allowed to present the questions through the lottery system. The people of the constituency are keen to know what question their leader puts and the reply by the concerned minister. If these handful of ministers can give the reply, I don’t understand why the government has kept the remaining ministers,” Saluja said.

Bedlam prevailed after the Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati rushed to the well of the House and threw papers at the Speaker for his inept handling of the House proceedings. He said the Speaker is not maintaining the sanctity of the House as he has allowed the ministers who are in charge to reply to the questions in the absence of other ministers who are now in Patkura. Under such circumstances, he should adjourn the House session.

As commotion continued to prevail, the Speaker adjourned the House till 3 pm.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Odisha CM Directs To Supply 3 Months’ PDS Rice To Beneficiaries In Advance

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister on Tuesday issued direction to provide rice of three months' quota…

November 5, 2024

[Watch] Salman Khan Shoots For ‘Sikander’ In Falaknuma Palace Amid Tight Security

Mumbai: In the wake of a fresh death threat by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, actor…

November 5, 2024

Bachchan Family Upset With Nimrat Kaur, To Take Action Against Source Of Rumour

Mumbai: Rumours about Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai’s divorce have been doing the rounds for…

November 5, 2024

Surge In Patients With Respiratory Issues In Delhi Hospitals

New Delhi: Hospitals across Delhi are witnessing a spike in the number of patients with…

November 5, 2024

ISKCON Cancels ‘Untimely’ Rath Yatra In Houston

Bhubaneswar: Facing a strong opposition from the devotees of Lord Jagannath and Puri Gajapati Maharaja…

November 5, 2024

[Watch] Is Abhishek Bachchan’s ‘I Want To Talk’ Similar To Dad Amitabh’s ‘Piku’?

Mumbai: The trailer of the highly-anticipated Abhishek Bachchan starrer ‘I Want to Talk’ was unveiled…

November 5, 2024

One Killed, Two Injured In Mukhyamantri Bus-Bike Collision In Odisha’s Ganjam

Berhampur: One person was killed and two others were injured in a collision between a…

November 5, 2024

Raveena Tandon’s Daughter To Debut With Ajay Devgn’s Nephew

Mumbai: Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon’s beautiful daughter Rasha Thadani is all set to make her…

November 5, 2024