Furore in Orissa Assembly over Biju statue defacement

Bhubaneswar, Aug 2 (UNI) The Orissa Assembly was adjourned for six times and finally for the day today as pandemonium prevailed in the house over the issue of defacement of Biju Patnaik.

The trouble began during the zero hour when Speaker Maheswar Mohanty, in response to the demand of the treasury bench members, directed the Chief Minister to make a statement on the issue.

The Opposition, who has been demanding a debate and a CBI inquiry into the incident, did not allow Mr Patnaik to make any statement during the pre-lunch session.

They trooped into the well and shouted slogan forcing the Speaker to adjourn the house for thrice and finally for the lunch.

The house witnessed noisy scene with the opposition inside the well even during the post lunch session, which led to three more adjournments, and finally for the day.

But before the house adjourned for the day, the Speaker allowed the Chief Minister to make the statement, which he did amidst din inside the well.

The Speaker then allowed some submissions and adjourned the house notwithstanding the Opposition demonstration inside the well.

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