The Opposition Congress-sponsored notice of resolution for removal of Assembly Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat from office was on Wednesday rejected in its moving stage due to shortage of just one MlA in its support.
The resolution could not be taken up for discussion in the House owing to lack of the required 28 members as two of the members of the Congress itself remained absent despite the whip by the Congress legislature Party. However, Congress Chief Whip Prasad Harichandan described the end result as a moral victory for his party. “Our purpose was solved. We wanted to convey the people of the State what has been happening in the Assembly and the controversial role of the Speaker in conducting the House without adhering to the Constitutional provisions and rules of the House,” he said.
On the other hand, the ruling BJD dubbed the Congress’ move as unfortunate.
The Congress members had served the notice of resolution expressing lack of confidence in Speaker Amat for his failure to maintain the dignity and decorum of the Assembly. The notice was taken up for consideration with one of the House panel members of Chairmen Dr Nrishingha Sahu in the chair.
Dr Sahu put the notice given by eight Congress members including leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh, Chief Whip Harichandan and Santosh Singh Saluja before the House. He sought to know the members who were in favour of leave being granted to move the resolution to rise in their seats. The resolution was rejected in moving stage due to lack of the required number of 28 supporters.
After the headcount, the chairman announced that there were only 27 members, including ailing Congress member Basudev Majhi who came in a wheelchair, in favour of the notice. While two Congress members Nihar Mahananda and Mamata Madhi were conspicuous by their absence, the Congress could garner support of two Independents Jitu Patnaik and Braja Kishore Pradhan.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kalpataru Das and Government Chief Whip Pravat Kumar Tripathy then went to bring Speaker Amat back to his chair to conduct of business of the House.
The ruling BJD members welcomed the rejection of the resolution thumping their desks and shouting anti-Congress slogans.
As the Amat was conducted to the chair, Congress members trooped into the Well chanting anti-Government and ant-Speaker slogans. later, they returned to their seats.