Odisha Assembly Erupts in Chaos Over Andhra Pradesh's Polavaram Initiative
Click to start listening
Bhubaneswar, Dec 6 (NationPress) The Odisha Assembly experienced significant chaos on Friday as opposition party members rallied against the ongoing multipurpose Polavaram Initiative in Andhra Pradesh. Due to the tumult, Speaker Surama Padhy adjourned the House until 4 p.m.
As the question hour commenced, members of the Congress party moved to the well of the House, protesting against the dismissal of their adjournment motion which sought discussions on the Polavaram Initiative. They were soon joined by BJD members who shouted slogans against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government.
The assembly was initially adjourned until 11:30 a.m., but when the House reconvened, the uproar continued, leading Speaker Padhy to once again adjourn the session until 4 p.m.
In her remarks regarding the motion's rejection, the Speaker commented that the Polavaram issue is currently sub judice, hence it cannot be debated in the House.
Speaking to the media outside the assembly, former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik stated, “The BJD has consistently fought for the welfare of the people of Odisha, and we will persist in this endeavor.”
Meanwhile, Congress MLA Rama Chandra Kadam claimed that Odisha is at risk of flooding due to the Polavaram Initiative, criticizing the state government for its silence on the matter. He accused the central government of favoring Andhra Pradesh by providing substantial financial support for the project's completion.
In response to the opposition's charges concerning the Polavaram Initiative, state Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan asserted, “The achievements made during their 24-year rule regarding the state's interests are now glaringly evident, and history will not excuse them. The previous government failed to address various controversial matters, including the Polavaram and Bansadhara water disputes and the Kotia issue. However, I assure the people of Odisha that the Mohan Majhi-led BJP government will take all necessary actions to protect the state and its citizens' interests.”
Significantly, a high-level BJD delegation, led by senior leader and former minister Debi Prasad Mishra, met with the Chairman of the Central Water Commission (CWC) on Thursday to express their grave concerns regarding the ongoing multipurpose Polavaram Initiative in Andhra Pradesh and its possible repercussions on Odisha, particularly in the Malkangiri district.
