Ruling BJD-BJP members demand apology from Ajay Maken

Bhubaneswar, Nov 29 (UNI) Ruling BJD-BJP members in Orissa Assembly today sat on a dharna in the Assembly premises demanding an unconditional apology from Union Minister Ajay Maken for 'directing' Congress legislators to disrupt the House proceedings.

Mr Maken, a member of the Congress Working Committee and in-charge of state affairs, had 'directed' the MLAs to continue their ruckus and uproarious scene inside the House till their motion on farmers issue was admitted under Rule 113 (b).

The proceedings of the House had been stalled since the Assembly's winter session began on November 19 following the pandemonium and furore created by the Opposition.

More than 50 MLAs of the state government today squatted near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi for half an hour holding anti-Congress placards after Speaker Maheswar Mohanty adjourned the house at 1035 hours till 1130 hrs.

The legislators also shouted slogans against UPA President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as they held the Congress responsible for the pandemonium.

The House was adjourned for the ninth day today as both the Opposition and Treasury benches exchanged slogans and counter- slogans during the Question Hour.

Like other days, the Opposition trooped into the well of the House with anti-government banners and placards and disrupted the business forcing the Speaker to adjourn the house till 1130 hrs and finally for the lunch till 1500 hrs.

JMM members Bimal Lochan Das and Prahalda Purty also sat on dharna near wearing black bands on their head protesting against the attack on adivasi protestors in Guwahati.

UNI