Bhubaneswar, July 23: The opposition BJD and Congress created ruckus in the Odisha Assembly for the second consecutive day forcing the Speaker to adjourn it twice over the demand for action against Governor Raghubar Das's son for allegedly assaulting a government official in Puri.
As soon as the House assembled for Question Hour, Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik demanded a statement from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on the matter and BJD MLAs trooped into the well of the House demanding governor's son Lalit Kumar’s arrest for allegedly assaulting Assistant Section Officer (ASO) Baikuntha Pradhan at the Puri Raj Bhavan while he was discharging his duty during President Droupadi Murmu's visit to the coastal temple town on July 7.
After the alleged incident, Pradhan was transferred to the home department.
“Where was the BJP's Odia 'asmita' (pride) of BJP when an official from Odisha was assaulted by a person from outside the state? Though an FIR was lodged at a police station on July 12, no action has been taken so far and the state government is protecting the governor's son," Mallik told reporters outside the assembly after the adjournment of the house for one hour till 11.30 by Speaker Surama Padhy due to the din.
When the House reassembled at 11.30 am, the Congress members joined the BJD MLAs and trooped into the well raising slogans against the government and demanding justice for Pradhan.
As the opposition lawmakers continued sloganeering despite Speaker’s request to return to their respective seats, she announced adjournment of the proceedings till 4 pm.
