Bhubaneswar, September 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The monsoon session of the Odisha Assembly witnessed disruptions for the third consecutive day on Thursday as opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress legislators protested against the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026.
While BJD and Congress members had raised separate issues during the previous two days, the BJD legislators on Thursday shifted their protest to the MMDR Amendment Act and demanded its repeal. The party had earlier been seeking the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond over printing errors in school textbooks.
As proceedings began, Congress and BJD legislators gathered near the Speaker’s podium with posters and banners and raised slogans against the government, demanding withdrawal of the legislation.
Amid the commotion, Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi attempted to continue proceedings, with Ministers Mukesh Mahaling and Suresh Pujari responding to questions during Question Hour. However, continued protests by opposition members led the Deputy Speaker to adjourn the House till 4 p.m.
Congress legislators later staged a protest near the Mahatma Gandhi statue inside the Assembly premises, while BJD members marched to the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) office and staged a gherao over the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026.
Speaking to the media, senior BJD leader and MLA Arun Sahu said the protest outside the OMC office marked the beginning of an economic blockade against the legislation.
Sahu said the BJD had given the state government and the Centre an ultimatum to withdraw the amendment. If the demand was not accepted, the party would intensify its agitation and launch a statewide economic blockade.
“This is only the beginning. We will continue our protest and adopt a broader strategy if the government fails to act,” Sahu said.
He alleged that the amendment would adversely affect Odisha’s interests and deprive the state of its rightful share of mineral resources. Sahu also said the BJD would mobilise people and intensify its campaign against the legislation.
Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati alleged that Odisha had incurred a loss of Rs 1.10 lakh crore due to the enactment of the MMDR Amendment Act, along with an annual loss of Rs 10,000 crore. He also accused the BJP-led Union government of betraying the people of Odisha who voted it to power in the 2024 general elections.
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