Oppn stir over ‘disrespect’ to Biju, law & order disrupts House

Bhubaneswar: The state assembly witnessed uproarious scenes on Friday as BJD MLAs jumped into the well in protest against the govt's alleged move to "erase Biju Patnaik's legacy", while Congress members raised concerns about the "deteriorating" law and order situation.
Moments after the House reconvened for the second phase of the budget session, following a break from Feb 22 to March 6, BJD MLAs shouted slogans against the govt's decision to celebrate Panchayati Raj Divas on April 24. The decision broke the tradition of celebrating it on Biju Patnaik's birth anniversary on March 5.
"The decision to celebrate Panchayati Raj Divas on March 5 was taken by the cabinet. However, the govt undermined the cabinet decision by issuing an executive order to change the date," BJD MLA Arun Sahoo told the media outside the assembly.
Sahoo said legendary freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, hailed as a global hero and a contributor to the empowerment of panchayats in post-independent Odisha, was insulted by the govt for narrow political reasons.
Echoing similar views, his party colleague Ranendra Pratap Swain said the govt must revoke its decision to dissociate Panchayati Raj Divas from Biju's birth anniversary.
Congress legislature party leader Rama Chandra Kadam said his party MLAs wanted to draw the govt's attention to rising crimes against women as the state prepared to celebrate International Women's Day on Saturday. "However, the govt was not willing to listen. The govt has miserably failed to protect women," he said.
Unable to maintain order, speaker Surama Padhy adjourned proceedings first until 12 noon and again till 4 pm. After the adjournment, BJD MLAs staged a protest in front of Biju's statue on the assembly premises. Congress MLAs staged a dharna near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.
Panchayati raj minister Rabi Narayan Naik said there was absolutely no intention of disrespecting Biju by the govt. He criticised the BJD for acting as if they have exclusive rights to Biju's legacy. The minister urged those disrupting assembly proceedings in Biju's name to reconsider their actions.
BJP MLA Irasis Acharya said the BJD sought votes using Biju's name only to conveniently forget his dream of empowering panchayats and women. "The govt led by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi has been taking steps to implement Biju Babu's vision," he said. Acharya said that Panchayati Raj Divas was changed only to align the date with the national-level celebration on April 24.
BJP MLA Amar Nayak also criticised the opposition MLAs. "The govt is ready to discuss all issues without any reservation. The opposition MLAs should take part in debates and place their views in the assembly. It is unfortunate that they chose to stall proceedings," he said.