Opposition stalls business demanding Deputy Speaker's resignation

Bhubaneswar, Aug 22 (UNI) Pandemonium prevailed in Orissa Assembly today forcing Speaker Kishore Mohanty to adjourn the house twice and then for the day as the Opposition stalled the proceedings right from the Question Hours, demanding resignation of Deputy Speaker Prahallad Dora following an FIR against him in a dowry torture case.

The Opposition Congress trooped into the well, shouted slogans and snatched away Speaker's microphone demanding the resignation of the Deputy Speaker.

Mr Mohanty, who failed to pacify the agitated Opposition, adjourned the House at 1044 hours to till 1130 hours without transacting any business. The House reassembled at 1130 hrs but was adjourned again till 1200 hours.

The Speaker then announced that the Business Advisory Committee would sit at 1700 hours today to decide the issue and adjourned the House, finally, for the day to be resumed on Monday amidst slogan shouting by the Congress members.

As the House commenced for the day to take up the question hours, Congress Chief Satya Bhusan Sahu, rising on a point of order quoted a news paper report on FIR filed against Mr Dora by his daughter-in-law alleging dowry torture.

Mr Sahu said in view of the FIR, Mr Dora stands as an accused and unfit to occupy the Deputy Speaker post to conduct the business of the House.

Demanding the resignation of Mr Dora, the Congress chief said the business of the House should not be taken up till the Deputy Speaker resigned.

Congress member Tara Prasad Bahinipati said an FIR had already been lodged against Mr Dora in the dowry torture case but he was opposed by BJP member Maheswar Sahu, who made certain allegations against Mr Bahinipati.

This led to a commotion in the House and the Opposition Congress trooped into the well shouting slogan disrupting the business.

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