The Odisha Assembly experienced chaotic scenes recently as opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLAs demanded an extensive discussion on the pressing fertiliser shortage, which has already pushed farmers onto the streets in protest during the current kharif season.
Even before the Question Hour commenced at 10:30 a.m., BJD legislators occupied the well of the House, brandishing placards and chanting slogans against the BJP-led government, accusing it of being “anti-farmer.”
The legislative session managed to operate for a mere four minutes before Speaker Surama Padhy was forced to adjourn proceedings until 4 p.m. Her repeated appeals for the agitated members to return to their seats went unheeded amidst the growing uproar.
Despite Speaker Padhy’s attempt to proceed by allowing School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond to answer a question from BJP member Tankadhar Tripathy, the relentless din made it impossible to hear anything.
This widespread BJD protest within the Assembly comes just a day after Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister K C Patra publicly acknowledged the existence of rampant black marketing of fertiliser throughout the state.
Addressing the media outside the Assembly, Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik stated that the BJD was compelled to escalate their agitation inside the House due to the government’s apparent disregard for the severe struggles faced by farmers, who have already resorted to street protests.
Mallik further asserted, “This government has utterly failed to address the farmers’ urgent demands, and there’s widespread black marketing of fertiliser across Odisha.”
Justifying the BJD’s disruptive protest, even though the Speaker had agreed to a debate on the fertiliser crisis, Mallik explained, “We insisted on a comprehensive discussion in the House, suspending all other business. Considering that over 60 percent of the state’s population comprises farmers, a mere 15-20 minute discussion simply wouldn’t be adequate.”
However, BJP MLA Agasti Behera countered, alleging that the opposition BJD deliberately disrupted the proceedings with the sole intention of “defaming the government.”
Behera argued, “When the Speaker had already accepted the Congress’s proposal for a post-Question Hour discussion on the matter, there was absolutely no reason for such a ruckus. These actions are purely for publicity.”
Meanwhile, Congress member Ashok Das expressed his astonishment at the BJD’s behaviour, suggesting that the issue could have been effectively debated through an adjournment motion.
Mr. Das concluded with suspicion, “Rather than participating in a constructive debate, the BJD ensured the House was adjourned. We suspect this was done to shield the BJP government.”