BJD MPs on Wednesday strongly protested Speaker Sumitra Mahajan’s non-acceptance of an Adjournment Motion for discussion on tribunal formation to resolve the Mahanadi water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
The Speaker adjourned the proceedings till 12 noon as BJD MPs kept of shouting slogans at their seats.
When the House reassembly, MP Bhartruhari Mahtab raised the issue once again which drew support from Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay.
“Today we had moved an Adjournment Motion for the third time. However, the Lok Sabha Speaker did not accept the motion which we protested,” said MP Kalikesh Singh Deo.
In Rajya Sabha, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu didn’t allow an Adjournment Motion but said he would allow a discussion on the issue, informed member Prasanna Acharya.
Earlier, BJD RS members had moved a calling attention and a short duration notice for discussion on the Mahanadi water row in the Upper House.
Earlier in the day, BJD MPs staged a demonstration holding placards in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the premises of Parliament.
“A conspiracy has been hatched against to protect the interest of some industrialists and the Centre is a part of it. We will fight against the step-motherly attitude of the Centre against Odisha,” said Prasanna Patsani.
Kendrapada MP Baijayant Panda said, “We will raise our voice in every possible way even if a discussion is not allowed in Parliament.”