BJD-Congress members enter the Well and protest from reporters’ table; Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari raises objection
GTNS
SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 , BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Assembly witnessed another round of disruption on Thursday as the Opposition intensified its protest over the MMDR Amendment Act during Question Hour.
Soon after the House assembled, BJD and Congress legislators moved into the Well, raised slogans and displayed placards as they pressed their objections to the mining-related legislation.
The protest continued even as Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi attempted to conduct Question Hour.
Protest spills towards reporters’ table
The situation became more heated when some Opposition members stood on the reporters’ table while continuing their protest.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari drew the Chair’s attention to the development, saying the position of the protesting members was obstructing his view of the Deputy Speaker.
The Chair appealed to the protesting legislators to return to their seats and allow the proceedings to continue.
Ministers respond amid disruption
Despite the uproar, the Chair continued with Question Hour for a brief period. Ministers, including Mukesh Mahaling and Suresh Pujari, responded to questions amid the Opposition’s slogans.
The noisy proceedings lasted for only around 13 minutes before the House was adjourned until 4 PM.
The disruption marked the third consecutive day of protests in the Assembly over the MMDR issue.
Mining issue moves beyond the House
Following the adjournment, BJD legislators moved towards the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) office and staged a demonstration.
The protest outside the Assembly added another dimension to the Opposition’s campaign against the mining amendment, keeping the MMDR issue at the centre of political activity in the state.
Focus now on further Assembly proceedings
With the House scheduled to reconvene at 4 PM, attention remained on whether the remaining legislative business could proceed amid the continuing disagreement over the MMDR Amendment Act.
The episode once again highlighted the sharp differences between the ruling side and Opposition over mining policy and the management of mineral resources in Odisha.
GTNS | BHUBANESWAR