The MLAs of the Opposition — the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party — stalled the proceedings of the Odisha Assembly during the zero hour on Wednesday over the absence of Ministers and Biju Janata Dal MLAs as they were allegedly busy campaigning in the Patkura Assembly seat.
The Congress and BJP members rushed to the well of the House and disrupted the proceedings leading to repeated adjournments.
Leader of the Opposition Pradipta Kumar Naik told the House that out of the total 21 Ministers, only eight were present in the House and of the 111 BJD MLAs, as many as 61 were absent.
Campaigning in Patkura
While skipping the Assembly proceedings, the Ministers and MLAs of the ruling party were seen in TV channels campaigning in the Patkura constituency, Mr. Naik pointed out.
Government Chief Whip Pramila Mallick, however, said that required number of Ministers and MLAs was present in the House.
The campaigning in Patkura is scheduled to come to an end on Thursday evening. The seat is going to the polls on July 20.
Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik also campaigned in Patkura on Wednesday seeking votes for his party nominee Sabitri Agarwalla. He took out a roadshow and addressed large gatherings at several places.
Ms. Agarwalla is facing the challenge posed by BJP nominee Bijoy Mohapatra and Congress candidate Jayanta Kumar Mohanty.
Postponed twice
Polling was initially scheduled to be held in Patkura in the fourth and last phase of the general election in April. But polling was postponed twice — first due to the death of the BJD candidate and then due to Cyclone Fani.