Massive chaos persisted in the Odisha Assembly for the fourth consecutive day as the opposition intensified its call for the Health Minister’s resignation following the SCB Medical College and Hospital fire mishap in Cuttack, which claimed 12 lives. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress members, displaying placards and chanting anti-government slogans, caused a commotion in the House. Tensions escalated when opposition members tried to approach the Speaker’s chair but were blocked by security personnel, resulting in a scuffle.
The opposition parties, BJD and Congress, reiterated their stance that the protest inside the House will continue until Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling resigns on moral grounds. Amid the uproar, the House witnessed multiple adjournments, with the Speaker adjourning proceedings until 4 p.m. An all-party meeting convened by the Speaker aimed at resolving the deadlock also ended inconclusively.
Addressing the deadlock over the SCB medical fire tragedy, BJD MLA Goutam Buddha Das voiced support for the Opposition’s protest, emphasizing the need for accountability from the state government. Das described the incident as a “serious matter” and highlighted that the Assembly’s turmoil mirrors public apprehension. While acknowledging that disruptions are undesirable, he justified the strong protest due to the gravity of the issue.
Demanding stringent action against those responsible for the incident, including senior officials like the hospital superintendent, Das accused the government of shielding the accountable individuals. He stressed the necessity for the Health Minister to clarify the situation to the public and take visible action in response to the major incident at Odisha’s largest medical college.
Congress MLA Mangu Khilla criticized the state government for its inaction following the tragedy, pointing out the dysfunctionality within the Health Department and the urgent need for reforms in medical institutions across Odisha. Khilla outlined the Opposition’s demands, including immediate healthcare system improvements, Rs 1 crore compensation for the victims’ families, and accountability through strict actions against the culprits. He echoed the call for the Health Minister’s resignation to uphold accountability.
Ruling BJP MLA Manas Kumar Dutta condemned the opposition’s disruption of the House proceedings, labeling the politicization of the fire incident as unacceptable. While acknowledging the unfortunate nature of the incident, Dutta assured that the government is dedicated to preventing such occurrences in the future and will take decisive action against those found responsible.
