Union Minister of State for Planning Rajiv Sukla’s reply in the Rajya Sabha on the issue of disqualification of Odisha to get special category State (SCS) status sparked widespread protest by the ruling BJD which forced adjournments of the Assembly on Friday without transacting any business.
Due to unruly behaviour of BJD members, the House ran for only four minutes as the Opposition stared at the Chair and cried hoarse.
Besides paralysing the House, BJD members also staged a dharana near Mahatma Gandhi statue against Centre’s negative attitude towards Odisha and also organised a march to Raj Bhawan seeking intervention of Governor for immediate revision in criteria for determining backwardness of States and confer SCS on Odisha.