Orissa Assembly adjourned for third day today

Bhubaneswar, Mar 24 (UNI) The Orissa Assembly was adjourned for the third day today as the Opposition stalled the proceedings right from the question hour demanding resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and State Excise Minister Kalandi Behera.

Stalemate prevailed for the third day today as the agitated members trooped into the well in support of their demand soon after the House assembled to take up the question hour.

They demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, holding him responsible for the Kalinga Nagar firing incident and ''complete breakdown'' of law and order in the state in the wake of the Naxalite attack in R Udayagiri.

The Speaker had to adjourn the House thrice and finally for the lunch without taking any business of the House following loud protest from the Opposition.

As the House assembled after the lunch, Congress Deputy leader Narshingha Mishra said they had demanded the resignation of two Ministers for their alleged involvement in the liquor tragedy. He said while one of them had resigned yesterday, the other Minister was yet to quit from the post.

This was vehemently opposed by BJD members Debi Prasad Mishra and Ranendra Pratap Swain who accused the Opposition of trying to take political mileage out of nothing.

While the House was in turmoil, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made a suo motto statement on the R Udayagiri Naxalite attack and former Water Resources Minister Rabi Narayan Nanda, who tendered his resignation yesterday, clarified his stand urging the Chief Minister to institute an inquiry into the Opposition allegation.

The Deputy Speaker, who was then on the chair, adjourned the House for the day.

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