Oppn accuses BJD of running away from debate on Polavaram

Annoyed over no discussion on the Polavaram project issue in the Odisha Assembly on Thursday, the Opposition Congress and BJP accused the ruling BJD of “running away” from the debate.

The issue was raised by Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress during Zero Hour when he came to know that the House did not have any programme to conduct discussion on the Polavaram issue.

“Two ministers had on Wednesday agreed to hold discussion on Polavaram issue. When I proposed to move a motion for the debate, the ministers said the government chief whip will bring it as per the provision. However, on Thursday, there is no such plan from the government,” he said.

Wondering as to why the government backed out of the discussion, Mishra said, “They are terribly afraid, least they are exposed. Who says the Opposition does not like discussion? It is the Treasury Bench that runs away from debate.” 

“They backed out because the government has no information on the controversial project,” he alleged.

Ridiculing the Treasury Bench, Mishra said agitating on streets and conducting bandhs do not help resolve any issue.

“Discussion alone can help resolve the issue. But, the BJD people are not doing this,” he said. Targeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Congress leader said, “He (CM) runs away from discussion. Rather he is in habit of reading out from a paper written by bureaucrats in the House. Therefore, the officers indirectly interfere in the House’s functioning. This pains me.” 

As Speaker Niranjan Pujari said the House cannot hold discussions on Polavarm issue due to some other business on the last day of the Monsoon session, the Opposition members rushed to the Well demanding a debate on the issue.

Unable to run the House, Pujari adjourned the proceeding for 30 minutes.

On the repeated stalling of proceedings, BJP Legislature Party Leader K V Singhdeo said the BJD government and its administration was working overtime to divert the attention of Odia people from its multiple failures.

Singdeo said the state government has failed to provide electricity, roads, water, health care, education and livelihood to the poorest of poor.