Ruling MLA remark leads to pandemonium in Orissa Assembly

Bhubaneswar, Nov 30 (UNI) A derogatory remark by ruling BJD MLA Ranednra Pratap Swain against the Opposition caused an unprecedented pandemonium in Orissa Assembly, leading to series of adjournments in which the business of the House was paralysed for over four hours.

The pandemonium continued till the session was declared adjourned since die by Speaker Maheswar Mohanty. The Opposition in protest against the remark did not participate in the valedictory address of the House.

The Assembly during the pre-lunch session also witnessed furore with the Opposition demanding House Committee to probe the suicide of farmers in the state, stalled the business during the zero hour forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House till lunch without taking any proceedings.

Even though the Speaker described the remark of the ruling BJD member as unfortunate and expressed the desire of Mr Swina to tender regret for the remark, an agitated Opposition continued their shouting slogan till the winter session came to an end without taking up several business of the house scheduled for the day.

It all started during the post lunch session when BJD member R P Swain while criticising the opposition members rushed into the well and showed a photograph of leader of Opposition J B Pattnaik with a builder whom the Opposition had alleged was linked to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and involved in swindling the money from the Orissa State Rural Housing Development Corporation.

Mr Swain also used certain derogatory remarks against the Opposition which caused lot of resentment among the Congress members.

Soon the house witnessed noisy scene with the Opposition protesting against the remark of Mr Swain trooped into the well and disrupted the business of the House.

Speaker Maheswar Mohanty sensing trouble inside the well, adjourned the House for 30 minutes at 1555 hours. The House was then adjourned for nearly nine times till 2032 when the Speaker called for valedictory amid din inside the well.

Leader of House Naveen Patnaik read his valedictory speech but when the Speaker called for the Leader of Opposition, the members inside the well shouted at their peak of voice stating that they would not participate in the valedictory in protest.

The Speaker then adjourned the House sine die.

UNI DP SJC SBA BST0126