Odisha Assembly Monsoon Session Begins Amid Oppostion Rage

The Odisha Assembly began its Monsoon Session on Tuesday amid loud protests from the Opposition over the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 and errors in school textbooks.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi opened the proceedings. He moved a condolence motion for six former members of the House who recently passed away.

The Assembly also expressed grief over the deaths of more than 1,000 people in a recent tragedy in Nepal.

Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik, Congress Legislative Party leader Rama Chandra Kadam and other members supported the motion.

The House observed a one-minute silence in their memory.

The protests intensified when Question Hour began. Opposition members gathered near the Speaker’s podium with banners and placards and raised slogans against the government.

Congress MLAs demanded the repeal of the MMDR Amendment Act, while BJD legislators sought the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond over errors in school textbooks.

Speaker Surama Padhy urged the protesting members to return to their seats and allow Question Hour to continue. However, the protests forced her to adjourn the House until 1:10 PM.

Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik accused the state government of failing to address the textbook issue. She also demanded the minister’s resignation.

She also sought recovery of the additional public money spent on printing corrected textbooks.

Congress Odisha Pradesh Committee president Bhakta Charan Das raised concerns over alleged financial losses linked to the MMDR Amendment Act and said the party would continue protesting until the law gets repealed.

When the House reconvened at 1:10 PM, the Opposition resumed its protest, prompting another adjournment until 4 PM.

BJP MLA Tankadhar Tripathy said the government remained ready for discussions and urged members to follow Assembly rules.

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