Even as two BJD members Maheswar Sahoo and Sameer Ranjan Dash regretted for their derogatory remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, yet the House could not transact normal businesses for the fourth consecutive day as Congress members insisted on demanding an apology from the Prime Minister for his remarks on Odisha’s poverty.
The House was adjourned thrice till 11.55 as BJP members kept rushing into the Well of the House demanding an apology from the Sahoo and Dash. Finally, Sahoo and Dash expressed regrets for their derogatory words on the PM and called upon BJP members to cooperate for smooth functioning of the House.
“The BJP members are not cooperating in functioning of the important Budget session of the House. I had no intention to denigrate the PM and only expressed views to uphold the dignity of Odisha and its people. Still, I am sorry if my comments have hurt BJP friends. But I am not worried at all,” said Sahoo.
He also demanded that the BJP members also express regret in the House for the anti-Odisha statement of the Prime Minister.
Dash said let all forget what was said by him for upholding pride of Odisha and dignity of crores of Odias and cooperate for functioning of the House.
But soon after this, Congress Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati said, “It is ok, now that the ruling party members have regretted. But we (Congress members) will not allow the House to run until the Prime Minister tender an apology for his remarks that have denigrated Odisha and its people’s pride.”
He said the PM should tender an apology to the people of Odisha either in the Parliament or through the Press.
He slammed the Chief Minister, who is the leader of the House, for not uttering a single word on the Prime Minister’s remarks and demanded that a censure motion be brought against the PM. Demanding a ruling from the Speaker, Bahinpati and other Congress members rushed into the Well of the House and shouted slogans.
Unable to run the proceedings, Speaker Niranjan Pujari adjourned the House at 12.26 till 3 pm.
The House witnessed two adjournments in the afternoon hours as the situation remained unaltered. Finally, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day at 5.01 pm.