Turmoil in Odisha assembly, Cong MLAs capture speaker's podium

Congress was on the offensive as soon as the house assembled for the day as its members vented their anger against Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat who rejected an adjournment notice on the farmers issue.

Amat, who had for the last two days refused to accept opposition's notices, also rejected the adjournment notice given by Congress Chief Whip Prasad Harichandan.

The issue was raised by leader of opposition Bhupinder Singh as soon as the question hour began while the party MLAs rushed to the well holding banners demanding bonus on paddy procurement and hike in its minimum support price.

While Congress MLAs were shouting slogans in the well, three of them - Nihar Mahananda, Jogesh Singh and Dusmant Nayak - climbed on the speaker's podium and lied on the desk.

They threw papers on the Speaker's desk while another member scuffled with marshals on the podium.

Unable to restore normalcy, the Speaker adjourned the house till 12.30 pm. MORE