Cong MLA throws pen stand at Orissa Speaker

A Congress legislator on Monday threw a pen stand at Orissa assembly Speaker after he did not respond to his demand of expunging a minister's remark that some Opposition members were involved in tender fixing in an irrigation project.

The incident took place when Congress MLA S S Saluja sought details on alleged tender fixing in Upper Indra project from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Raghunath Mohanty, who was replying questions relating to the irrigation department held by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, during question hour.

Infuriated by Mohanty's claim that some Opposition members were also involved in the tender fixing, Saluja rushed to the well seeking expunction of the minister's statement.

Congress MLAs soon trooped into the well in protest and an angry Saluja lifted a pen stand from Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat's table and hurled it at him.

Though the pen stand missed Amat, it broke into pieces after hitting the podium.

A pandemonium followed and a startled Speaker adjourned the House for 16 minutes as Opposition and treasury bench members got engaged in heated verbal duels.

When the House reassembled, Congress members again stormed into the well.

The situation came under control after Saluja apologised for his action.