Odisha: BJP MLAs create ruckus in assembly over Congress leader’s remarks on NDA Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu

BHUBANESWAR: The BJP MLAs on Thursday stalled the Odisha assembly proceedings in protest against Congress leader Ajoy Kumar’s recent remarks on NDA Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu that she “represents a very evil philosophy of India and should not be made a symbol of Adivasis.”
The BJP also took out a protest rally in the city from Ram Mandir Square to the Master Canteen Square condemning Ajoy’s statement.
Moments after the house reconvened for Question Hour at 10.30 am, the BJP members stormed into the well of the house against Ajoy’s “unsavoury remarks” and sought unconditional apology from him and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha requested the members to return to their respective seats and raise the issue during Zero Hour. However, as the members didn’t relent, he adjourned the proceedings first till 11.30 am and again till 4 pm after a brief Zero Hour discussion when BJP raised the same issue again.
Opposition chief whip Mohan Majhi demanded a censure motion against Ajoy. “As a minister of Odisha and governor of Jharhand, Droupadi has already proved herself as an abled administrator. Her contribution for tribal upliftment are immeasurable. Ajoy’s remarks reflects, Congress party’s attitude to her,” Majhi said.
Congress legislature party leader Narasingha Mishra countered BJP members' demand and said since Ajoy and Rahul Gandhi are not members of the house, any discussion on them is against the Vidhan Sabha norms. He said he had personally praised Murmu. However, the Congress has been opposing her because of the ideology she represents. As the BJP members again resorted to shouting slogans, the speaker adjourned the house till 4 pm.
Speaking to reporters outside the assembly, BJD MLA Debi Prasad Mishra said though personal attack on Murmu is condemnable, the house should be allowed to run.
Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati said there is no reason why Rahul Gandhi should apologize on the issue. “The BJP has not understood properly what the Congress spokesperson said,” Bahinipati added.