The Odisha Legislative Assembly witnessed unprecedented chaos on Thursday as opposition members staged a massive protest over the deteriorating conditions at SCB Medical College and Hospital, bringing legislative proceedings to a complete standstill.
High-Voltage Protests Rock Assembly
The morning session descended into turmoil as opposition MLAs stormed the well of the House, raising slogans and holding placards demanding the immediate resignation of the Health Minister. The uproar made it impossible to conduct normal business.
The protest soon spilled outside the Assembly, where members staged a sit-in near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, accusing the government of failing to manage the state’s premier healthcare institution.
Speaker Adjourns House Amid Deadlock
Amid continuous disruptions, Speaker Surama Padhy adjourned the House twice—first till 11:30 AM and later, as the situation worsened, until next Monday.
The repeated adjournments highlight the deepening political deadlock and the intensity of the ongoing confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition.
Government Slams Opposition Tactics
The ruling party strongly criticised the opposition’s actions, accusing them of deliberately stalling legislative work. BJP MLA Irasish Acharya lashed out at the protest, calling it an act of “political sabotage.”
He alleged that the opposition was prioritising disruption over governance and warned that such actions were detrimental to public welfare and the state’s progress.
Political Temperature Rises in Capital
With Assembly proceedings suspended until Monday, tensions remain high in Bhubaneswar. The ongoing standoff reflects growing political friction over healthcare issues, particularly the situation at SCB Medical College and Hospital.
The crisis has not only disrupted legislative functioning but also intensified the debate over accountability and governance in Odisha’s healthcare system.