MLA resorts to table-top protest in Orissa assembly

A Congress lawmaker climbed on to Orissa assembly speaker Pradip Kumar Amat’s podium and lay down on it, demanding the resignation of chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

Rajendra Kumar Chatria managed to climb on to the podium after he along with two party members scuffled with the security staff in the assembly.

Amat was forced to adjourn the House till 3pm.

“It is unfortunate that the Congress members are behaving in an unruly manner,” the chief minister said outside the assembly.
Terming the demand for his resignation as unjustified, Patnaik said many important issues of public interest could not be taken up for discussion due to the ruckus.

The Congress members have been demanding Patnaik’s resignation and pressing for action against Vedanta and other officials involved in land acquisition for the Vedanta University project in Puri.

The Orissa high court had termed it illegal and ordered the state government to return the land to the owners.

The winter session, which began on November 23, has been witnessing repeated adjournments and pandemonium with the opposition Congress members demanding the resignation of the chief minister.

Later 24 ruling BJD MLAs met the speaker in his chamber and demanded immediate action to restore normalcy in the House.

“I have heard the concerns expressed by treasury bench members. You (Congress MLAs) have the right to protest. But please do not interfere into the rights of others,” Amat told reporters.

NCP leader Amar Prasad Satpathy also urged the speaker to ensure order in the House or adjourn it sine die.

Congress member and leader of the opposition, Bhupinder Singh, however, reiterated the demand for return of the land acquired to Lord Jagannath, stating the high court has termed the land acquisition invalid.