The Odisha Assembly on Friday witnessed pandemonium as opposition BJP and Congress tried to corner the State Government over the issues of fake certificate racket and Kotia border dispute. Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha adjourned the House till 4 pm.
During the Zero Hour, the opposition members rushed to the Well of the House and shouted slogans against the State Government over the two issues.
Leader of Opposition Jayanarayan Mishra (BJP) raised the border issue. Alleging that Andhra Pradesh is interfering in the Kotia area and 21 other villages in Koraput district, he claimed that the Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister is luring local people through various means.
"Where is the Kotia package announced by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik? What steps have been taken in the border rows with other States?" asked Mishra.
Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra said fake certificate rackets are being reported from different parts of the State.
He further alleged that photos of a Minister and a former Minister along with the main accused in the racket have gone viral.
Countering the Opposition, senior BJD leader Arun Sahoo accused BJP and Congress leaders of enacting drama over the Kotia issue. The opposition members should go to the Centre and raise the issue. They have eight MPs and three Central Ministers, Sahoo remarked.
On the fake racket issue, Sahoo showed a picture in which the prime accused and Narasingha Mishra were seen sharing a stage.
Quickly reacting to this, Mishra said he is ready to face any investigation.
"Will the Chief Minister, the Minister of State for Home and the ex-Minister submit to the investigation,” he asked.
Following the face-off between the Opposition and Treasury Bench members, the opposition members went to the Well of the House and tried to climb up to the podium of the Speaker.
Amid the protest, the Speaker allowed the withdrawal of three Bills introduced during this Budget Session and adjourned the House till 4 pm.
The situation remained the same in the post-lunch session too. Though the Speaker called an all-party meeting, no conclusion was reached. Later, the BJP and Congress members staged noisy walkouts from the House during the Appropriation Bill discussion.