Opposition tries to corner government

BHUBANESWAR: The last day of the short monsoon session of the Assembly witnessed noisy scenes as Opposition Congress and BJP MLAs demanded a debate on the deteriorating law and order situation in the State and the alleged horse trading during last year’s Rajya Sabha polls.As the question hour started, Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh wanted to raise some points. But Speaker Pradip Amat continued with the question hour without allowing Singh to speak. The Congress members then shouted slogans against the State Government.Soon after, the BJP members rushed to the well shouting slogans and sat on a dharna in protest till the question hour was over. The Opposition members strongly objected to the Speaker’s decision not to take up discussion on any adjournment motion notice given by them. While the Congress wanted discussion on the rapidly worsening law and order situation, the BJP had given a notice on horse trading during last year’s Rajya Sabha polls.The Speaker announced that discussion on admissibility of adjournment notice could not be taken up as there are many government bills to be passed on the last day of the session on Saturday. The Speaker’s announcement was greeted with loud noise from the Opposition bench, who wanted discussion on these topics.Opposing the decision, the Leader of the Opposition said legislative business is headache of the Government and the members should not be penalised for it. If the Government has several bills to be passed in the House during the session, let it be extended by a day or two, he said.Criticising the State Government for the deteriorating law and order situation, Singh said people are not safe even in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. One can imagine the fate of the common people in far flung areas like Malkangiri and Koraput, he said, adding that as today is the last day of the monsoon session, the Speaker should allow discussion on issues concerning public interest. Opposition members also demanded tabling of Lokpal’s special report in the House as directed by the Governor. However, the Speaker did not listen to the Opposition members and proceeded with discussion on the Cooperative Bill.