Bhubaneswar: The monsoon session of the Odisha Assembly today began on a stormy note with the ruling BJD members creating ruckus over Mahanadi and Polavaram issues, leading to adjournment of the House till 3 PM.
As soon as the House assembled for the first day of the session, the ruling party members shouted slogans against the Centre and Chhattisgarh government over the Mahanadi and Polavaram issues.
Unable to run the House, Speaker Niranjan Pujari adjourned the House till 3 PM.
BJD member Byamakesh Ray was the first to stand on his seat and shout on top of his voice allegedly at a time when the National Anthem was being played in the House.
Though Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress was seen trying to speak something, he was not allowed by the Speaker. Pujari immediately adjourned the House after the National Anthem.
“The ruling party has dishonoured the National Anthem at the direction of the Chief Minister. The Leader of the House (CM) was very much present at the House when his party member shouted during playing of the National Anthem,” Mishra alleged outside the House.
“Unfortunately, the Speaker also did not caution the treasury bench member for his conduct,” he told reporters.
The ruling party members, however, rejected the allegation and claimed that there was no disrespect to the National Anthem.
“Yes, a ruling party member was giving slogan in the House. But, it was much before the National Anthem was played,” BJD spokesman Amar Prasad Satpathy said.
Industries Minister Debi Prasad Mishra said, “All of us have highest regards for the National Anthem. There is no point to disrespect the National Anthem.”
As soon as the House was adjourned, the ruling party members including ministers marched to the Raj Bhavan and submitted a memorandum with Governor S C Jamir.
“We have raised the issue relating to violation of law of the land in regard to Mahanadi water dispute as well as Polavaram project,” the Industries minister said.
The ruling party held both the previous UPA government and the present NDA government responsible for the violation of law in the Mahanadi and Polavaram issues.
(Sourced from agencies, Feature image courtesy:www.scoopnest.com)
