Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Aug 24: The Odisha Assembly on Saturday was adjourned until 4 pm for the fifth consecutive day following heated exchanges. The disruption came after a censure motion was passed against two BJD legislators for their unruly conduct towards Speaker Surama Padhy the previous day.
During Zero Hour, BJD and Congress MLAs protested the reservation issue by storming the well of the House and throwing leaflets. This led to accusations from the BJP that the Opposition was disrespecting the Speaker, resulting in a one-hour adjournment.
Government Chief Whip Saroj Pradhan introduced the censure motion against BJD MLAs Romancha Biswal and Madhab Dhada, who, along with other members, attempted to climb the Speaker’s podium as part of their protest. The commotion was sparked by Opposition legislators’ attempts to highlight the recent hooch tragedy in Ganjam district.
When the Assembly reconvened, the Opposition continued to vocally criticize the government for its alleged failure to implement reservations for SC/ST and OBC communities according to their population proportions. CLP leader Rama Chandra Kadam accused the government of neglecting these communities in technical and medical institutions and demanded a caste census and the establishment of an OBC commission. Kadam also warned of escalating protests if their demands were not addressed.
