Bhubaneswar, Sept. 22 (UDN): The opening day of the Odisha Assembly’s Monsoon Session was marked by repeated disruptions on Tuesday, as Opposition BJD and Congress members protested over the MMDR Bill and alleged errors in school textbooks.

The protests forced Speaker Surama Padhy to adjourn the House twice, first until 1:10 pm and later until 4 pm.

Opposition Protest During Question Hour

The session began with obituary references to former legislators, public figures and public servants who had passed away. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi moved condolence motions, with members paying tribute to the departed.

The House also observed silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the floods in Nepal.

Trouble began when Question Hour got underway. BJD and Congress MLAs entered the Well carrying placards and raised slogans over the MMDR Bill and alleged errors in school textbooks.

Speaker Padhy appealed to the protesting members to return to their seats and allow the scheduled proceedings to continue. As the disruption persisted, she adjourned the House until 1:10 pm.

Proceedings Disrupted Again

When the Assembly reconvened at 1:10 pm, Opposition members resumed their protest over the same issues.

The continued sloganeering prevented normal legislative business from proceeding, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the House again, this time until 4 pm.

The repeated disruptions overshadowed the scheduled proceedings on the first day of the Monsoon Session.