Bhubaneswar, March 20 (NationPress) The Odisha Assembly has been engulfed in turmoil for the fourth consecutive day as opposition parties ramped up their calls for the resignation of the Health Minister following the tragic fire incident at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, which has officially resulted in 12 fatalities.

Members of the opposition, including the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress, created an uproar in the Assembly on Friday, wielding placards and chanting anti-government slogans. The situation escalated further when opposition members attempted to approach the Speaker's chair, only to be restrained by security personnel, leading to a clash.

Leaders from both the BJD and Congress have consistently stated that their protests will persist until Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling resigns on moral grounds.

Amidst the chaos, the Assembly experienced multiple adjournments, the final one being until 4 p.m. as decided by Speaker Surama Padhy. An all-party meeting convened by the Speaker aimed at resolving the deadlock proved fruitless once more.

In discussing the SCB medical fire tragedy, BJD MLA Goutam Buddha Das expressed support for the opposition’s protests, demanding accountability from the state government.

Das characterized the incident as a “serious matter”, indicating that the unrest in the Assembly mirrors public concern. He emphasized that while disruptions are not always ideal, the severity of this issue warrants strong protests.

“The Health Minister must step forward and clarify the situation to the public. It is unacceptable that no visible consequences have followed such a major incident at Odisha's largest medical college,” he stated.

Accusing the government of attempting to shield those responsible, the BJD leader remarked, “If the government neglects to act and the Health Minister avoids responsibility, serious questions arise. If such a tragedy does not result in accountability, it is profoundly regrettable.”

He further demanded strict disciplinary measures against officials implicated in the incident, including high-ranking figures such as the hospital superintendent.

Congress MLA Mangu Khilla directed his criticism towards the state government, noting that days have passed since the tragedy with no decisive actions taken.

“The Health Department is in disarray. There is chaos within medical institutions across Odisha, and immediate reforms are essential,” he stressed.

Highlighting key demands, Khilla noted that the opposition is calling for urgent reforms in the healthcare system, compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of the deceased, and strict action against those responsible. He reiterated the necessity for the Health Minister's resignation, asserting that accountability is imperative.

Meanwhile, ruling BJP MLA Manas Kumar Dutta criticized the opposition for causing disruptions in the Assembly, labeling the fire incident as unfortunate but condemning its politicization.

He asserted that the government is dedicated to preventing such incidents from happening in the future, promising strict action against those found culpable.