Ruckus in Odisha Assembly: Congress MLA Tara Bahinipati Climbs Speaker’s Podium, Throws Book

Bhubaneswar: Uproarious scenes were witnessed in Odisha Assembly on Monday as Congress MLAs trooped into the well over the privilege notice brought by the party against Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

Trouble surfaced in the afternoon after Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik spoke during the debate on the state budget as Congress members rushed to the well. Party MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati was seen climbing the Speaker’s podium.

As pandemonium prevailed amid ruckus by Congress legislators, no business could be conducted and the House was adjourned for 30 minutes.

Similar scenes were witnessed when the House reassembled as Congress members demanded that the privilege notice be sent to the privilege committee. Amid uproar, Bahinipati was seen throwing a book at the Speaker’s podium.

Earlier in the day, the Assembly had also witnessed ruckus by the opposition Congress and Biju Janata Dal (BJD). They protested Chief Minister announcing reservation for Agniveers outside the House when the Assembly is in session.

The Chief Minister had on July 26 announced before leaving for Delhi that the state will have a 10 per cent reservation and 5-year age relaxation for Agniveers in the uniformed services.

Congress MLA moved a breach of privilege notice against the CM in the morning for making the announcement outside the Assembly while the House is in session.

As soon as the Zero hour began, Speaker Surama Padhy allowed Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling to make a statement on the government’s decision regarding the Agniveers.

However, the members of Congress protested against the move to let the Parliamentary Affairs Minister make the statement instead of sending the notice to the privilege committee.

As uproarious scenes continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till 4 pm.