Bhubaneswar, March 25: The chaos in the Odisha Assembly continued unabated as Speaker Surama Padhy took decisive action, suspending 12 Congress MLAs for seven days due to alleged misconduct and unruly behavior.
The suspended lawmakers include Congress Legislative Party leader Rama Chandra Kadam, C.S. Rajan Ekka, Sophia Firdous, Sagar Charana Das, Mangu Khila, Satyajit Gomango, Ashok Kumar Das, Dasrathi Gomango, Nilamadhab Hikaka, Kadraka. Appala Swamy, Pabitra Saunta, and Prafulla Chandra Pradhan.
The suspension followed a notice from Government Chief Whip Saroj Kumar Pradhan, citing the MLAs’ “misconduct and unruly behavior” during the afternoon session.
Earlier in the day, the Assembly witnessed intense disruption as opposition Congress and ruling BJD members clashed over critical issues, including women’s safety and the reservation of OBC students in medical education.
The trouble began during the Question Hour, when Congress and BJD members stormed the Speaker’s podium, playing traditional musical instruments in protest. The Congress demanded the formation of a House committee to address women’s safety in the state, while the BJD called for 27 percent reservation for OBC students in medical education.
Despite repeated appeals for order, the pandemonium continued, prompting Speaker Surama Padhy to adjourn the House until 11:30 AM.
