Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Aug 23: On the fourth day of the second phase of the Budget Session in the Odisha Assembly, chaos erupted as BJD and Congress MLAs protested the Ganjam hooch tragedy and demanded the resignation of Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan.
As soon as the House convened on Friday morning, Opposition members stormed the well, chanting slogans against the BJP government. BJD MLAs Madhaba Dhada and Jogesh Singh attempted to climb the Speaker’s podium, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the session until 11:30 am.
Female MLAs were also reported to have obstructed the Speaker’s path. Opposition whip Pramila Mallik criticized the government for its handling of the liquor mafia, accusing it of merely renaming schemes from the previous administration.
Congress CLP leader Ram Chandra Kadam highlighted the rise in hooch-related deaths and called for the Excise Minister’s resignation on moral grounds. Congress MLA Pabitra Saunta added that the government’s inability to address questions about illicit liquor trade prompted their continued protests, emphasizing that the issue affects the entire state.
