Bhubaneswar: With the Opposition BJD and Congress ready with several issues to corner the maiden BJP government, the first session of the 17th Odisha Assembly beginning Monday is set to be a stormy one.
The Opposition has been sharpening its arsenal over a host of issues, including alleged assault of a Raj Bhavan staffer, Rath Yatra “mismanagement” and MSP hike.
At its legislative party meeting on Saturday evening, the BJD decided to raise alleged mismanagement in Rath Yatra, the assault on an assistant section officer by Governor Raghubar Das’ son Lalit Kumar and the unprecedented rise in prices of essential commodities during the session, which has 27 sitting days.
BJD has 51 MLAs in the 147-member Assembly.
The Conch party has also decided to oppose the schemes renaming spree by the present government while reminding it about its electoral promise of Muft Bijli Yojana by providing solar panels to urban and rural households.
BJD whip Pramila Mallick said that they are keeping a close watch on the government and steps being taken by it to fulfil the poll promises, including free 300 units of electricity and paddy MSP.
BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has already assigned various departments to 50 his party MLAs to shadow the positions held by members of the Cabinet to hold the relatively inexperienced Mohan Manjhi-led BJP government accountable.
The Congress, which has been demanding action against the Governor’s son, has also decided to raise the issue inside the House. The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting under the chairmanship of CLP leader Ram Chandra Kadam was Room No-54 of the Odisha Assembly ahead of the commencement of Budget Session.
The BJP government said that it is ready to counter all strategies of the Opposition. “Our government has already taken decisions on three or four promises made by the BJP in its election manifesto within 40 days of coming to power,” BJP MLA Prakash Soren said.
SCHEDULE
Governor Raghubar Das received guard of honour at the State Assembly ahead of the session, which will begin with his address. It will be followed by a motion of thanks on the Governor’s address.
Odisha budget for 2024-25 will be presented on July 25.
The General Discussion on Budget will be held on July 29 and 30, followed by the Appropriation Bill, on Vote on Account on July 31.
SECURITY ARRANGEMENT
While a three-tier security cover has been put in place in and around the Assembly building in Bhubaneswar, a total of 30 platoons of police forces along with 300 police officers of various ranks under the supervision Bhubaneswar DCP have been deployed as part of the tight measures.
Bomb squads, dog squads, striking forces and SOG Jawans are also at the spot. Armed police forces have also been deployed and the entire Assembly complex put under CCTV surveillance.
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