Bhubaneswar/New Delhi, March 26: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sasmit Patra has condemned the clashes outside the Odisha Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday, accusing the Odisha Police of acting as "handmaidens" of the state government.
Patra criticized the police for obstructing not only BJD and Congress MLAs but also for guarding the Vidhan Sabha against its own members. He described the barricades set up outside the assembly as an "extremely low act," condemning the disruption of democratic proceedings.
Patra also attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming they were avoiding debates in the assembly. He said the BJP government wanted an "opposition-mukt" Vidhan Sabha, which he argued reflected its failure in governance.
Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati echoed similar concerns, accusing the BJP of suppressing opposition voices through suspensions. He claimed that the BJP was fearful and noted that those responsible for alleged atrocities were part of the party. Protests continued after 14 Congress members were suspended earlier in the day, with party leaders alleging physical abuse during their removal from the assembly.
14 Congress members were suspended, and the party leaders protested in the House on the alleged atrocities against the MLAs and also alleged that their leaders were beaten up while being removed from the Assembly premises.
