Pandemonium in Odisha Assembly over Mahanadi issue

The Odisha Assembly was adjourned twice today due to pandemonium over the Mahanadi issue.

As soon as the House assembled for the day, Leader of the Opposition Narasingh Mishra urged the Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat to initiate discussion on Mahanadi issue.

Odisha and Chhattisgarh have locked horns over the sharing of Mahanadi waters for over two years now.

As the Speaker ignored his demand and ordered resumption of Question Hour session, the Congress members rushed to the well of the House shouting slogans against the state government.

Some of them also attempted to climb on the Speakers podium following which the House was adjourned till 11.30 am.

When it reassembled, a similar scene was repeated and Amat had to again adjourn the House till 3 pm.

I had requested the Speaker to cancel the Question Hour and initiate discussion on Mahanadi issue. But the Speaker did not consider my request and directed resumption of Question Hour, Mishra told reporters outside the House.

Mishra said he had requested the Speaker that the House Committee formed under the chairmanship of the chief minister should convene an all-party meeting to discuss the Mahanadi issue.

However, the impasse was over after an all-party meeting was convened by the Speaker tomorrow.

"It has been decided on an all-party meeting to hold discussion of Mahanadi issue tomorrow," Amat told the House when it reassembled at 3 pm.

Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati said it was unanimously decided that the House will have a discussion on Mahanadi issue on Friday.

The Question Hour will be suspended and during the period, the Mahanadi issue would be discussed. Besides, the Speaker also directed the Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Minister Surya Patra to reply to the adjournment motion notice brought by the Congress on rampant corruption in paddy procurement in Kendrapara district, he added.