Opposition boycott Orissa Assembly for third day

Bhubaneswar, Apr 3 (UNI) The entire Opposition in the Orissa Assembly boycotted the proceedings of the house for the third day today demanding security to the members.

The Opposition which stalled the business of the house for almost nine days demanding resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and State Excise Minister Kalandi Behera, later boycotted the house citing instances of assault on the Opposition members both inside and outside the house.

Leader of Opposition J B Pattnaik categorically told Speaker Maheswar Mohanty that they would attend the house only when the later assured them of proper security to the opposition members.

Mr Pattnaik also led an Opposition delegation to Governor Rameswar Thakur and urged him not to give his consent to the Appropriation Bill which he claimed was passed in the house illegally and unconstitutionally without the participation of the Opposition.

This morning the Leader of Opposition also intimated the Speaker not to debate and pass the Orissa Agricultural Produce Markets (Amendment) Bill 2006 in the absence of the Opposition as it was not finalised in the Business Advisory Committee.

But the Bill, moved by Orissa Cooperation Minister Surama Padhi was later debated and passed by voice vote in the absence of the Opposition members.

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