Odisha Assembly disrupted as BJD protests CM's allegations on ASO job sales

Bhubaneswar, Dec 7: The Odisha Assembly faced disruptions on Saturday as opposition members from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) protested against Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s claims that Assistant Section Officer (ASO) positions were sold during the previous Naveen Patnaik administration.

As the session commenced, BJD MLAs entered the well of the House chanting slogans, reacting to the CM's assertion that ASO jobs were reportedly sold for Rs 30 lakh each during the BJD's tenure. The uproar led Speaker Surama Padhy to adjourn the Assembly until 11:30 AM.

When the Assembly reconvened, the commotion resumed, prompting the Speaker to suspend proceedings again, this time until 4 PM. Opposition chief whip Pramila Mallik criticized the CM's remarks, alleging a conspiracy to damage the reputation of the previous government and questioned why no action had been taken against those involved if the CM had such information.

In response, BJP MLA Manas Dutta defended the CM, stating that he is well-acquainted with the irregularities that occurred during the BJD's 24 years in power and urged the opposition to avoid engaging in "cheap politics." The Chief Minister had made these allegations while introducing the Odisha Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024, accusing the prior government of misleading Odisha's youth and facilitating corruption in recruitment processes.