Opposition members boycott Odisha Governor’s address to Assembly

The budget session of Odisha Assembly on Tuesday got off to a rocky start with the opposition BJP and Congress boycotting Governor Ganesh Lal's speech in the House. Both the opposition parties also criticized the BJD government over the assassination of Minister Naba Kishore Das in his home constituency Jharsuguda and also for the prevailing law and order situation in the state.

As the House assembled for the day, Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra stood up and attacked the state government for "failing" to protect the life of a sitting minister, after which his party MLAs threw themselves into the well of the House. Opposition BJP members who protested by standing near their respective seats later joined Congress members in the well and raised anti-BJD slogans. As the Governor proceeded to deliver his address to the House, BJP members first walked out of the House followed by Congress members.

“We are boycotting the governor's address because he (the governor) is giving a rosy picture of the development of the state. The law and order situation has completely broken down,” BJP chief Mohan Majhi said. Senior Congress member Suresh Routray said outside the House, “We have no objection to the Governor. He is a good person. But the government is telling a wrong picture in his mouth. That is why we are boycotting the governor's address.” The saffron party lawmakers then staged a sit-in at the entrance of the House holding placards.

Later, the opposition members returned to the House and participated in the obituary reference of member and minister Nab Kishore Das, former MLA Gangadhar Das and Arjun Charan Das, former MLA. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Leader of Opposition Jaynarayan Mishra, CLP leader Narasingha Mishra and CPI(M) leader Laxman Munda participated in the obituary.

Speaker BK Arukha announced the adjournment of the House until 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday as a mark of respect to the departing members of the assembly.