Bhubaneswar, February 20 – The Odisha Legislative Assembly continued to witness a massive uproar by members of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress party on the fourth day of the crucial Budget Session, over alleged mismanagement in paddy procurement and other farmer-related issues in the state.
As the proceedings of the House began on Friday, the opposition BJD members reached near the Speaker’s podium, holding placards and banners and raising anti-government slogans regarding farmers’ concerns.
The Congress members, also wearing black badges and holding placards, raised slogans against the government in the House.
Speaker Surama Padhy was seen requesting the members to return to their seats and allow the Question Hour, but the opposition remained unresponsive.
The commotion forced Speaker Padhy to adjourn the House until 11:30 a.m. after only a few minutes of proceedings. However, the opposition BJD members resumed their uproar after the House reconvened at 11:30 a.m., leading to another adjournment until noon. The Speaker later called an all-party meeting to resolve the impasse.
When the House reconvened at noon, the opposition continued their protests, after which Speaker Padhy adjourned the Assembly until 4 p.m.
Speaking to the media, senior BJD leader Gautam Buddha Das said that it is the responsibility of the ruling party to ensure that the House functions smoothly.
Das also demanded the resignation of Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra over the government's failure to procure paddy from farmers and for allegedly making false statements.
He further alleged that the government has only managed to procure 70 per cent of the total paddy procurement target.
Senior Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati said that his party has sought a discussion on issues related to the problems faced by farmers and has moved an adjournment motion in the House to deliberate on the matter.
“We request the Speaker to call an all-party meeting and ensure that the House functions smoothly. Lakhs of farmers across the state are eagerly awaiting the Assembly's decision on this issue and the minister's response. Both the ruling BJP and the main opposition BJD members do not want the House to function smoothly. It is the Speaker's responsibility to bring the House into order,” said Bahinipati.
BJP MLA Tankadhar Tripathy criticised the opposition for disrupting Assembly proceedings on Thursday, saying that they have no real issues and should instead participate in discussions in the House.
He termed the disruption of the Question Hour as an “attack on the interests of Odisha and its people”, especially when key issues like farmers’ welfare require serious debate. He also questioned the opposition’s record on farmer issues, including past farmer suicide data and bonus announcements for paddy procurement.