Odisha Assembly Turmoil: Controversial Remark Sparks Outcry

Chaos erupted in the Odisha Assembly as BJD and Congress legislators expressed outrage over a BJP MLA's controversial remark regarding the 1936 merger of Koshala with Odisha. Accusations of increased crimes against women also fueled the disruption, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the session.

Turmoil ensued in the Odisha assembly on Monday when legislators from the BJD and Congress protested a controversial comment made by a BJP MLA concerning the merger of the Koshala region with Odisha in 1936. The uproar, combined with concerns about rising crimes against women, forced Speaker Surama Padhy to adjourn the session until 12.09 pm.

The controversy began with BJP MLA Jay Narayan Mishra's remarks at an official event in Sambalpur, where he claimed the merger was a "historical mistake" that disadvantaged the western region in favor of coastal districts. This ignited demands from BJD members for a statement from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

Amid the chaos, Congress MLAs highlighted the increasing crimes against women, further escalating tensions. Senior Congress member Taraprasad Bahinipati's actions to climb the Speaker's podium underscored the intensity of the protest, leading to adjournment and subsequent sit-ins by opposition members within the assembly premises.