Bhubaneswar
The Odisha Assembly witnessed uproar on Monday as protests by opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) over the alleged curtailment of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) powers disrupted proceedings for the fourth consecutive day of the monsoon session.
As soon as business began, BJD legislators stormed into the well of the House, shouting anti-government slogans before the Speaker’s podium. Meanwhile, Congress MLAs staged a silent protest from their seats, holding placards accusing both the ruling BJP and the BJD of stalling the House.
Despite the commotion, Speaker Surama Padhy tried to conduct the Question Hour. The Law Minister managed to respond briefly to questions from ruling party members, but the ruckus continued. The Speaker repeatedly appealed for order, but with protests intensifying, the House was adjourned until 4 p.m.
BJD chief whip Pramila Mallik accused the BJP-led government of dismantling the Panchayati Raj system. She alleged that projects at block level were halted and powers of elected representatives were shifted to officials such as Block Development Officers through government circulars. Mallik demanded immediate restoration of authority to representatives, stressing the importance of decentralisation.
Congress leader Rama Chandra Kadam, however, accused both BJP and BJD of creating deliberate chaos to block discussions on the no-confidence motion moved by Congress.
The BJD has announced plans to gherao the Assembly on Tuesday as part of its protest. The ongoing standoff highlights deep tensions between the government and opposition over local governance and grassroots democracy in Odisha.
