Odisha opposition legislators unhappy with speaker

Unhappy with the house proceedings, Congress members on Friday accused the Odisha speaker of having a "partial approach" towards lawmakers.

The legislators submitted a memorandum to Governor S.C. Jamir, protesting against the 'partial approach' of Speaker Niranjan Pujari in conducting the house proceedings.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also boycotted the rest of the monsoon session citing the same reason. The session ends on August 29.

Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Narasingh Mishra said they urged the governor not to accord his seal of approval to the four bills passed in the absence of the opposition in the house. "We have requested the governor to disapprove bills passed in absence of opposition in assembly," Mishra said.

Boycotting the house proceedings, BJP leader Basant Panda said it was unfortunate and undemocratic on the part of the speaker not to allow the opposition members to take part in the house proceedings and pass bills in their absence.

Both Congress and BJP members said they would not attend the assembly proceedings.

Meanwhile, three reports related to the law and order situation in the state were tabled in the house. Besides, a CAG audit report on general and social sector was also tabled in the assembly.