Orissa MLA throws pen-stand at Speaker’s podium, regrets

By Ratikant Mohanty
Bhubaneswar, Dec. 20: The Orissa Legislative Assembly, which is most often in news for wrong reasons, on Monday witnessed yet another unpleasant scene as Congress members – irked by “insulting” remarks by the state industry minister Raghuanth Mohanty trooped into the well of the House and one of them threw a pen-stand the Speaker’s podium.
Fortunately, the pen-stand did not hit the Speaker. It flew away a few yards right of the Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat and fell behind his chair after hitting the wall.
The noisy scene took place during the question hour when industry minister Raghunath Mohanty, during his reply to a query, observed that the Opposition Congress members were involved in tender fixing activity in water resources department.
Enraged at the minister’s statement, the Congress members rushed to well of the House and urged the Speaker to direct the minister to “withdraw” his remark.
As the Speaker did not pass on the any ruling on the Opposition’s demand, Congress members Santosh Singh Saluja threw a pen stand at the Speaker’s podium.
Seeing that the situation was turning violent, the Speaker adjourned the House for 15 minutes from 11.14 a.m. to 11.29 a.m.
After the House reassembled, Congress member Mr Saluja expressed regret for his act. The minister Mr Mohanty sounded apologetic and said he did not want to hurt the sentiment of the Opposition.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik condemned the behavior of Congress member Mr Saluja as “unfortunate” and said the Speaker would take appropriate action against the legislator.
“This is most unfortunate that a violent incident took place in the Orissa Legislative Assembly today. I hope the Speaker would take appropriate action against the member (Santosh Singh Saluja),” said Mr Patnaik.

www.indusvalleytimes.com