BHUBANESWAR: The Opposition Congress on Wednesday justified its repeated demands for Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s resignation as he had failed to protect the ruling party members.While Maoists killed ruling party MLA Jagabandhu Majhi, another MLA Jhina Hikaka is taken captive. Two Italian nationals were abducted by the Maoists and one of them is still in their captivity. The Chief Minister who is holding the Home portfolio for the last 12 years must accept his failure, Congress Chief Whip Prasad Harichandan said.Initiating the discussion on demand of grants for the Home Department, Harichandan said Naveen had axed several ministers either on corruption or criminal charges. Now the law and order situation of the State is at its lowest ebb, he said and dared the Chief Minister to admit his failure. The Chief Minister while replying to an adjournment motion on Tuesday said jungle raj is prevailing in the State and also admitted to increasing violence and crimes. A cursory glance at the White Paper of the Home Department tabled in the House also proved his point, Harichandan said adding, it is up to the Chief Minister to decided whether the Opposition demand for his resignation is justified or not. The Congress Chief Whip’s remark that the ruling BJD has closed link with the Maoists and the abduction of Laxmipur MLA is a well thought out plan enough to ignite fire in the treasury benches. The Congress leader said he had concrete proof of BJD leaders’ links with the Red rebels and Dandapani Mohanty, one of the two mediators from the Maoists side, had a role in the election of Zilla Parishad president. Several members, including former ministers Rabi Nanda, Damodar Rout, Raja Swain and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Raghunath Mohanty and Prabhat Biswal objected to Harichandan’s remarks. When member after member of the treasury benches raised point of order, Harichandan made some disparaging remarks against Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat. This was loudly protested by the ruling party members. Not to be cowed down, the Congress members also shouted at the ruling party members for deliberately obstructing Harichandan. While expunging the remark made by Harichandan against him, the Speaker ruled that the members should not talk suchlanguage which will create problems for the release of Hikaka and the Italian national. Ruling party Chief Whip Rabi Narayan Pani appealed to members from both sides to remain silent and allow Harichandan to speak.
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