12 of 14 Congress MLAs in Odisha Assembly suspended for ‘indiscipline, disrespect’

Even after their suspension on Tuesday, the MLAs decided to stage a dharna at the Well of the House overnight.

The suspension came two days before the party announced that its members would gherao the Assembly on March 27 over the issue of women’s safety.

The Odisha Assembly has failed to transact any business since March 7.

On Tuesday, as soon as the House assembled, the Congress MLAs started their protests, after which the Speaker had to repeatedly adjourn the House.

As the MLAs continued to protest in the Well of the House, the Speaker asked the marshal to request them to go out of the Assembly.

On Monday, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari criticised the Congress MLAs for disrupting the proceedings of the Assembly “without any valid reason”. He also criticised their conduct in the House, pointing to them blowing whistles, and bringing gongs and sticks.

“The government is ready for discussion on any issue raised by Opposition parties. (But) their behaviour is not desirable at all. As far I know, from February 14, at least 31 hours were lost due to disruption in the House,” said Pujari.

Senior BJP MLA Jayanarayan Mishra said the Speaker had no option but to suspend the Congress legislators.

However, Congress MLA Dasarathi Gamango called the Speaker’s action “undemocratic” and alleged that it was a bid to silence Opposition voices. Gamango said such actions would only strengthen the Congress’s fight against the BJP government in the state.