The State Assembly was on Monday adjourned for a whole day till Tuesday as Congress and BJP members protested against the fuel price hike and the horticulture sapling scam, respectively.
At the outset, Congress members rushed into the Well of the House and shouted slogans against both the Union Government and the State Government while protesting skyrocketing of petrol, diesel and gas prices. BJP members tried to climb up to the Speaker’s podium demanding a probe into the alleged sapling and cooperative bank loan scams.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was late by four minutes to reach the House. Amid protests and sloganeering, Speaker Pradeep Kumar Amat adjourned the House at 10.34 am till 10.30 am on Tuesday.
“Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had to give reply to questions regarding Home Department during the Question Hour, but he arrived in the Assembly late by four minutes. This shows that the Bharat Bandh called by the Congress has been successful,” Opposition Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati told reporters outside the House.
On the other hand, BJP MLA Pradip Purohit alleged that due to a secret understanding between the BJD and the Congress, the Chief Minister intentionally came late to the Assembly.
However, BJD spokesperson Samir Dash refuted the charge and said the Speaker did his duty properly and didn’t delay the proceedings. “It is not a big deal if the CM reached a little later than 10:30 am.
The CM was present during the Question hour.”
Earlier, Congress activists led by PCC president Niranjan Patnaik had staged a dharna in front of the Assembly. They were seen stopping the vehicles of MLAs, Ministers and Government officers outside the Assembly gate.