Pandemonium prevailed in the State Assembly on Thursday as opposition BJP and Congress disrupted the House proceedings over different issues.While the BJP members created ruckus demanding action against Minister Pratap Jena in connection with the Mahanga double murder case, the Congress protested over farmers’ issues. Amid the pandemonium, Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro initially adjourned the House till 11.30 am and later till 4 pm. Even though the Speaker convened an all-party meeting to resolve the deadlock, it did not pacify the opposition members, who continued their protest in the House.
When the House assembled on the day earlier, BJP and Congress members rushed near the podium of the Speaker and resorted to sloganeering. Holding placards, BJP MLAs demanded removal of Minister Jena over his alleged involvement in the Mahanga double murder case. Besides, Congress members, as on Wednesday, raised the drought issue and attacked the Government for not taking any steps to address the plights of the farmers. Opposition Chief Whip Mohan Majhi (BJP) said they would continue to stage protest in the Assembly till action against the Minister is not initiated.“Name of Pratap Jena has been mentioned in the FIR. The concerned court has directed to bring the Minister under purview of the investigation. We demand his removal from the post,” Majhi told media outside House. Congress MLA Santosh Singh Saluja said, “The Revenue Minister should reply on the drought issue instead of Agriculture Minister. We had yesterday staged a walkout expressing dissatisfaction over reply of Agriculture Minister.” Notably, on Wednesday, Agriculture Minister Arun Sahoo replied to an adjournment motion over drought-like situation in State. Having been dissatisfied with reply of Agriculture Minister, the Opposition demanded reply from Revenue Minister.