Winter Session of Odisha Assembly begins amid chaos

Both BJD and Congress MLAs stormed the well of the House, creating chaos as they pressed their respective demands

By Swagatika Mohanty

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 26: The Winter Session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly commenced on a stormy note on Tuesday, with the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress disrupting proceedings over multiple issues.

The uproar began shortly after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Ramachandra Kadam, and other leaders paid tributes to former Assembly members during the obituary session.

Tensions escalated when BJD leaders objected to the omission of the words “socialist” and “secular” in the photocopy of the Constitution’s preamble displayed at the Assembly entrance for Constitution Day. Meanwhile, Congress lawmakers highlighted the tragic deaths of four individuals in Kandhamal’s Daringibadi area after consuming contaminated mango kernel pudding. They alleged the victims were forced to eat mango kernels due to not receiving their monthly rice allotments under the public distribution system.

Amid the commotion, Speaker Surama Padhy adjourned the House till 12.25 PM. However, no progress was made when the session resumed, leading to another adjournment until 4.00 PM.

Both BJD and Congress MLAs stormed the well of the House, creating chaos as they pressed their respective demands.

According to official sources, the Winter Session is scheduled to continue until December 31, with 30 working days planned in the Assembly calendar.