By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, June 24, 2019: The Opposition is set to go all guns blazing at the Naveen-led government in fifth consecutive term in power at the maiden session of the Odisha Assembly that begins on Tuesday.

Though Odisha Assembly Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro on Monday chaired an all-party meeting ahead of the commencement of the first session of 16th Odisha Assembly on Tuesday, the Opposition is not going to lie low.

Incidentally, this is for the first time that an all-party meet was convened before the Assembly session in the State to ensure smooth functioning of the House. But if the past years are any indication with half of the sessions get adjourned or washed out amid pandemonium and ruckus by the members of the Assembly, the Naveen Patnaik government may not find the Assembly proceeding going smoothly, experts said.

Keeping this trend in mind, today’s all-party meet involving senior leaders of the BJD, BJP and the Congress was convened by the new Speaker to discuss several issues, the sole agenda being the smooth conduct of the proceedings of the House.

“I sought the cooperation of all members for smooth running of the House. The Opposition has also proposed to move two adjournment motions in a day and I’ll sincerely try to uphold that. It will help in discussion on vital issues. I am not saying no. We will have a discussion on this,” said the new Assembly Speaker.

However, the BJP-led Opposition has proposed to move two adjournment motions in a day, instead of one. This apart, they have demanded to come up with attractive proposals concerning the interests of the State so that more time gets devoted for debates on such issues.

The session also will witness State Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari presenting the Budget for 2019-20 financial year on June 28. The appropriation bill for 2020 fiscal will be passed in the House on July 31.

The first session of 16th Odisha Legislative Assembly will be held for 30 days in two phases and continue till August 8. While the first phase Assembly session will be held from June 25 to July 3, the second phase will commence from July 12 till August 8.

The BJP also is all set to corner the BJD over its failure in restoration and rehabilitation works post cyclone Fani, crumbling law and order in the State, irregularities in paddy procurement, and ill-behaviour of Patnagarh MLA Saroj Meher.

On the other hand, the Congress will turn the heat on the government for its support to the candidature of BJP nominee Ashwini Vaishnaw. This apart, they are likely to raise farmers’ issue, lack of employment and crisis in education and health sector.

“The BJD has gifted a Rajya Sabha seat to BJP and the saffron party claimed that it’s an open mutual understanding. What is this understanding all about?,” questioned senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra.

The State government, however, is all prepared to face any issue raised by the Opposition in the House. The counter attack moves of the BJD will mainly include Special State Status to Odisha and negligence of Centre, said party MLA Debi Prasad Mishra.