Odisha Assembly Turmoil: Congress MLAs Suspended Amid Protests

Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy has suspended two additional Congress MLAs, resulting in all 14 Congress legislators facing suspension. This action followed protests in the assembly demanding a probe into crimes against women. Meanwhile, BJD members also walked out, seeking reservations for marginalized communities.

The Odisha Assembly witnessed heightened tensions on Wednesday as Speaker Surama Padhy suspended two more Congress MLAs, bringing the total suspended Congress legislators to 14. The decision came as part of measures against "indiscipline" in the House.

The suspended MLAs, Taraprasad Bahinipati and Ramesh Jena, were seen protesting actively during Tuesday's session by playing gongs, advocating for a committee to investigate crimes against women in the state. The protest had also led to the suspension of 12 Congress MLAs earlier.

Adding to the assembly's chaos, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) legislators staged a walkout, voicing their demand for reservations for ST, SC, and OBC candidates. The BJD MLAs' protest continued outside, where they paid homage to B R Ambedkar and clashed with police at the assembly's entrance.

(With inputs from agencies.)