Bhubaneswar, 25 March (H.S.): The Odisha Legislative Assembly witnessed repeated disruptions on Wednesday as opposition MLAs raised a strong demand for the resignation of Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling over the fire incident at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

The House proceedings began at the scheduled time of 10:30 AM, with Speaker Surama Padhy initiating the Question Hour. However, opposition members entered the Assembly wearing black T-shirts bearing slogans critical of the state leadership, including remarks targeting the Chief Minister and the Health Minister.

Soon after the Question Hour commenced, opposition legislators rushed to the well of the House, holding placards and raising slogans over the SCB Medical fire incident. They alleged that the Chief Minister’s “weak leadership” was the reason no action had been taken against the Health Minister.

Despite repeated appeals from the Speaker urging members to return to their seats and allow the House to function smoothly, the protests continued unabated. As a result, the Question Hour could proceed for only about three minutes before the House was adjourned till 11:30 AM.

When the Assembly reconvened at 11:30 AM, similar scenes of disruption were witnessed. The Speaker attempted to carry on with the Zero Hour amid the din, but with no improvement in order, the proceedings were once again stalled.

With the deadlock persisting, the Speaker adjourned the House and convened an all-party meeting to resolve the situation

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda