Bhubaneswar, Aug 23: The Odisha Assembly on Friday was disrupted for the fourth consecutive day as opposition members from BJD and Congress created a commotion over the Chikiti hooch tragedy in Ganjam district.

Speaker Surama Padhy was forced to adjourn the House until 11:30 AM due to the ongoing pandemonium. As the session began, opposition members stormed the well of the House and chanted slogans demanding the resignation of Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan. BJD MLAs, including Parsuram Dhada, Jogesh Singh, Biswa Mallik, and Romanch Ranjan Biswal, attempted to climb the Speaker’s podium, while other opposition members continued their disruptive behavior.

The opposition has been calling for Minister Harichandan’s dismissal following the deaths of two individuals linked to hooch consumption in Chikiti. Opposition Chief Whip Pramilla Mallik criticized the ruling party, alleging collusion with illicit liquor traders and claiming that their actions were merely verbal and not substantive. She demanded Harichandan's resignation on moral grounds.

In response, BJP MLA Manoranjan Dyan Samantara condemned the opposition's actions, stating that their behavior disrespects the Speaker and reflects their reluctance to address the issue constructively. He accused the opposition of being afraid to confront the truth and hesitating to discuss the matter openly in the Assembly.

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