Jayanarayan Mishra: BJD stalls assembly over Jayanarayan’s remarks on western Odisha’s integration | Bhubaneswar News

Bhubaneswar: Chaos prevailed in the Odisha assembly on Monday as protests by the opposition BJD and Congress brought proceedings to a standstill for better part of the day. While BJD staged a fierce demonstration against BJP MLA Jayanarayan Mishra’s controversial statement calling western Odisha’s merger with the state a “historical blunder,” Congress members protested against the rising incidents of crimes against women. BJP legislators accused opposition parties of deliberately creating obstacles in house business.
Moments after the house reconvened for question hour, BJD members displayed posters against the BJP MLA’s “divisive” remarks and stormed into the well. They were demanding action against Jayanarayan and clarity on the govt’s stand on his statement. Congress members raised anti-govt slogans, highlighting the issue of crimes against women, particularly pregnancy of schoolgirls. Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahnipati tried to climb up to the speaker’s podium and uproot her microphone.
Speaker Surama Padhy ordered multiple adjournments as the house did not return to order. Speaking at an event in Sambalpur marking the disbursal of Subhadra money to women on Women’s Day, Jayanarayan said integration of western Odisha with the state was a “historical mistake” as coastal districts receive preferential treatment in governance, while western Odisha remains neglected.
Criticising the opposition for stalling the proceedings, BJP MLA Babu Singh said it is unfortunate that the opposition was stalling the house instead of taking part in debates. “BJD should not make an MLA’s personal opinion an issue to stall the house. It’s not the opinion of the BJP or the govt,” he said.
Speaking to mediapersons outside the assembly, BJD MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain said the senior BJP MLA made a divisive statement at an official event and in the presence of cabinet minister Rabi Narayaran Naik. If the govt doesn’t agree with him, CM Mohan Charan Majhi should clarify. His party colleague and MLA Arun Sahoo said if it was Jayanarayan’s personal opinion, the party should take action against him.
BJD and Congress members staged separate demonstrations outside the assembly to highlight their issues. Congress workers also staged rallies and dharnas, raising women’s safety issues in different districts.