Bhubaneswar, March 31: The Odisha Legislative Assembly witnessed a stormy session on Tuesday, as controversy erupted over remarks made by MP Nishikant Dubey about the late Biju Patnaik, the revered former Chief Minister of Odisha.

The ruckus began when the House was filled with loud slogans from BJD MLAs, protesting Dubey's comments. The uproar intensified as members of both the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress parties raised their voices in strong opposition, chanting slogans in defense of Biju Patnaik's legacy.

Adding fuel to the fire, CPI(M) MLAs staged a protest near the Speaker’s podium, further escalating the tension. Opposition members collectively raised slogans expressing solidarity and respect for the late leader, whose contributions to the state are widely honored.

Despite the continuous disruptions, the Speaker allowed the Question Hour to proceed. However, the commotion showed no signs of subsiding, leading the Speaker to adjourn the House until 11:30 AM.

In the midst of the unrest, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan addressed the media, asserting that Dubey's remarks were personal and not reflective of the government's stance. He condemned the comments as "inappropriate and unacceptable," emphasizing the widespread distress they had caused, including among the Chief Minister and the people of Odisha.

"The government has noted the negative remarks made by MP Nishikant Dubey about Biju Patnaik. These comments are solely his personal opinion. They are entirely inappropriate and unacceptable, having caused great distress across the state. The Chief Minister is deeply pained by these remarks. Engaging in further discussions or politicizing this issue will only undermine the immense respect that Biju Babu commands in Odisha. I urge all parties to refrain from continuing this debate," said Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan.