Odisha Assembly session disrupted as MLAs demand Excise Minister’s resignation

Bhubaneswar, Aug 23: On the fourth day of the second phase of Odisha Assembly's Budget Session, significant disorder erupted as BJD and Congress MLAs protested over the Ganjam hooch tragedy, demanding the resignation of Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan.

As the House convened on Friday morning, opposition members entered the well of the Assembly, chanting slogans against the BJP government. BJD MLAs Madhaba Dhada and Jogesh Singh even tried to scale the Speaker’s podium, leading to an adjournment of the House until 11:30 am. Female MLAs were also reported to have obstructed the Speaker’s path.

Opposition whip Pramila Mallik criticized the government’s response to the liquor mafia, suggesting that the current administration was merely rebranding previous schemes without making substantive changes. Congress CLP leader Ram Chandra Kadam called for Harichandan's resignation, citing a rise in hooch-related deaths as evidence of the government's failure.

Congress MLA Pabitra Saunta emphasized that the issue of illicit liquor affects the entire state, not just one region, and vowed that their protest would continue due to the government's inadequate response to questions about the illegal liquor trade.

In response, BJP MLA Purna Sethi accused the opposition of disrupting the session without genuine concern for public issues. He claimed their actions were intended to stall proceedings, even though the government had agreed to their demand for a RDC investigation into the hooch tragedy.

The incident has resulted in two deaths and twelve individuals receiving treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur after allegedly consuming contaminated country liquor earlier this week.