Orissa BJD, BJP boycott speech by Governor

BHUBANESWAR, March 16: The Assembly session got off to an acrimonious start today with the opposition Biju Janata Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party members boycotting the customary speech of the Governor. Janata Dal members also raised slogans and staging a dharna in the well of the House.

As soon as Governor K V Raghunath Reddy started reading the speech, the Opposition leader Ramakrushna Patnaik was on his feet reading a piece of paper. However, nothing of his speech could be heard in the din. BJP leader Biswabhusan Harichandan was also seen reading a statement.

Independent MLAs Balagopal Mishra and Sambhunath Nayak were shouting at the top their voice. However, the Governor continued with his speech amidst the disturbance in the House.