Claiming there was a constitutional crisis in Odisha, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) today resolved to urge Governor S C Jamir to recommend imposition of President's Rule under Article 356 of constitution.
"It can be safely concluded that there is failure of constitutional machinery in the state and Article 356 of Constitution should be invoked and President's Rule imposed if the chief minister does not resign," Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra (Cong), who presided over the CLP meeting held in the assembly premises, told reporters.
Mishra said when he sought permission from Speaker Niranjan Pujari yesterday and today to speak, he was shouted down by BJD members and the House could not transact any business.
"Never in parliamentary democracy is the leader of opposition denied of his constitutional rights at the behest of the chief minister. A chief minister swearing to uphold the Constitution and law, does not hesitate to violate the same," Mishra alleged.
The discussion, he said, could not take place and be passed because of the obstruction of proceeding of the House by the ruling party members at the behest of their leader.
"The CLP meeting further resolved to demand resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. It was also decided to demand immediate appointment of Lokayukta so that all allegations against the chief minister can be enquired into and appropriate action can be taken," Mishra said.
Dubbing Patnaik as the "brand ambassador" of chitfund companies, the CLP in its resolution said some of the ministers, MPs and MLAs have received substantial cash or other material benefits. Some MLAs, MPs and ex-MLAs were arrested by the investigating agency and were facing prosecution in the chitfund scam.
"Strong circumstantial evidence exists besides oral and documentary evidence about involvement of these leaders," Mishra said adding political persons holding high public office should not only be honest but should also appear to be honest.
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The CLP resolution said "Silence of the chief minister inside and outside the House presume his involvement in the chitfund crime. One of the senior cabinet ministers said in public that the state government promoted chitfund scam."
A release by the CLP said the leader of opposition had a few days ago while discussing the working of Justice M M Das Commission probing the chit fund scam had asked some questions to the chief minister in the House.
"Instead of replying to those questions, at the behest of the chief minister, one of the ruling party MLA and a Minister of State used abusive language against the leader of opposition," it said.
The BJD spokesperson and some ministers were openly saying that they will not allow the leader of opposition to speak inside the house, it added.
