Congress moves breach of privilege notice against Odisha CM

Bhubaneswar, July 29: The Odisha Assembly experienced chaotic scenes on Monday as Congress raised a breach of privilege notice against Chief Minister Mohan Majhi over his recent announcement concerning reservation for Agniveers.

The disruption occurred after the Speaker accepted the Congress notice and initiated a discussion. Opposition members erupted in protest when Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling began reading the Chief Minister's announcement. Both BJD and Congress legislators were vocal about the proposed 10 percent reservation and a five-year age relaxation for Agniveers.

Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati challenged the timing and venue of the announcement, questioning why the Chief Minister made it outside the Assembly while the House was in session.

In response, BJP MLA Irasis Acharya filed his own breach of privilege notice against Bahinipati. Acharya argued that details about the Assembly proceedings should not be disclosed to the media before they are discussed in the House and that such actions undermine the Speaker’s authority.

Bahinipati defended his move, asserting that the Chief Minister should have addressed the Assembly directly with the Agniveer announcement rather than making it externally. He dismissed the allegations against him as unfounded. Amid the uproar, the Speaker adjourned the Assembly proceedings until 4 pm.