Chit fund scandal, abuse of woman MLA stall Odisha assembly

Opposition alleged involvement of the ruling BJD leaders in the chit fund scam

The proceedings of the Odisha state assembly were paralysed for the second straight day as Opposition members created an unruly scene, storming the well of the house, alleging involvement of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders in the chit fund scam.

Members of the BJP also staged a parallel protest, demanding action against agriculture minister, Pradeep Maharathy for making indecent remarks against the lone lady MLA of the party, Radharani Panda.

Panda staged a dharana below the speaker's podium today.

"The remarks of Maharathy are derogatory and unacceptable. I cannot utter those words in front of the media. If a woman's dignity is not safeguarded in the assembly, how can we ensure safety of women across the state?", she told reporters outside the house.

Leader of the Opposition Narsingha Mishra said, "The minister himself is responsible for the slanderous remarks. We have demanded stringent action against the minister. The chief minister, who is the leader of the house, must act on the matter else he has no right to continue in his position."

The speaker had called an all-party meeting on Thursday but no solution emerged from it. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik's deafening silence on the grievous issue has placed him at the butt of criticism from the Opposition.

The minister- Pradeep Maharathy, however, denied any objectionable remarks against the lady MLA.

As the house opened for business on the second day of the winter session, the Congress and BJP legislators were on their feet, raising slogans and holding up placards against the BJD government. The Opposition slammed the government over massive loot of depositors' money by the tainted chit fund operators.

Through the placards, the MLAs conveyed that the chit fund scam has exposed the ruling party since some of its leaders were already arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the ongoing probe.

Launching a counter attack, the treasury bench members rushed to the well, alleging apathy of the central government in providing assistance for damages wrought by severe cyclonic storm Phailin last year and Hudhud earlier this year.

Amid prevailing pandemonium, assembly speaker Niranjan Pujari adjourned the house thrice. The house ran for barely a couple of minutes during the zero hour with no business transacted.