Odisha Assembly session from Sep 22, Oppn set to corner govt over MMDR Act, textbook error

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Bhubaneswar, Sep 3 (IANS) The seventh session of the 17th Odisha Assembly will commence on September 22, the Assembly Secretariat told in a notification issued on Thursday.

According to the notification, the session will continue until October 3 and will have a total of nine working days, including eight government business days.

The proceedings of the House will remain suspended on September 26 and 27 due to government holidays.

Similarly, there will be no business on October 2 on account of Gandhi Jayanti.

The session is expected to witness massive fireworks between the state government and the Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress over various issues, including the recently passed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026.

The Opposition is likely to try to corner the state government in the Assembly over allegations that the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026, poses a threat to the interests of the state.

The Congress-led INDIA bloc in the state had earlier announced a massive gherao of the Odisha Assembly on September 29.

The principal opposition BJD has also declared that it will raise the issue at all forums, from the village level to the State Assembly.

In a letter to the Bharatiya Janata Party MPs from Odisha, the BJD supremo and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik recently said, “August 13, which saw the passage of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha with your (BJP government’s) support, was a black day for Odisha.”

Among other major issues, the opposition parties are also likely to raise the issue of numerous publication errors found in the new school textbooks in the state in the State Assembly.

The Opposition have been demanding the resignation of the Odisha School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond over the issue.

Apart from this, BJD and Congress will try to draw the attention of the House during the session towards various issues concerning the farmers, women, law and order and tribal rights in the state.

–IANS

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Change is inevitable in BMC polls, CM Fadnavis

Mumbai, Aug 16 (IANS) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday targeted the Shiv Sena-UBT, saying that the transformation is inevitable in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), ruled by the Thackeray camp for over 25 years.

He attended the Parivartan Dahi Handi festival at Worli Jamboree Ground, which falls in the Assembly constituency of Shiv Sena-UBT legislator and former minister Aaditya Thackeray.

He chose the Dahi Handi festival to reiterate that the BJP-led Mahayuti is capable and fully prepared to win the BMC elections while downplaying the possible alliance between the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-UBT and Raj Thackeray-founded Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

“Transformation is inevitable in the Municipal Corporation (in Mumbai). We have broken the pot of sin in the Municipal Corporation. Pap ki handi ab toot chuki hai aur ab aisi handi dobara nahin lagne wali (Now the pot of development will be placed in that place). Whatever butter is in that pot of development, the effort will be made to take it to the common man,” said the chief minister, who was accompanied by the Cultural Affairs Minister and Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shekar.

He wished everyone a happy Dahi Handi and Janmashtami.

Without directly naming the Thackeray camp, CM Fadnavis said, “You (journalists) know where it (butter) was going. The people know who ate the butter.”

Stepping up the attack against the Thackeray camp, the chief minister said that there were restrictions on Dahi Handi and Ganesh Utsav (imposed by the Uddhav Thackeray-led government during its rule), adding that all those curbs were removed when the previous Eknath Shinde-led government took over in the state.

“Now there is a Mahayuti government and all restrictions have been removed. There is immense enthusiasm. Dahi Handi is being celebrated with enthusiasm,” he expressed.

“It has been raining since last night, and rain is expected today. No matter how much rain falls, the rain of Govinda’s enthusiasm is bigger than that. Our Govinda’s passion and enthusiasm never diminish,” he noted.

Meanwhile, CM Fadnavis will visit 14 Dahi Handi events in Mumbai, Thane and Bhiwandi, while Deputy Chief Minister Shinde will attend over 20 such events during the day.

Ahead of the upcoming civic body elections in Mumbai, Thane and adjoining areas, the Mahayuti has proposed a massive outreach on the occasion of Dahi Handi and Janmashtami festival.

CM Fadnavis and DCMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar have claimed that the change is inevitable in the BMC elections in particular, as the Mahayuti is set to outpace the Shiv Sena-UBT, MNS, Congress and NCP-SP.

–IANS

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K’taka Minister Zameer Khan should trust Indian Army and stay quiet: Pralhad Joshi

Vijayapura, May 3 (IANS) Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday said that the Karnataka Minister for Housing and Waqf Zameer Ahmad Khan should trust the Indian Army and stay quiet over the Pahalagm terror attack.

“He doesn’t need to strap a bomb to his back and go to Pakistan. If he simply trusts the Indian Army and stays quiet, that itself will be a great service to the country,” said the Union Minister while reacting to the remarks made by the Karnataka minister that he will become a “suicide bomber” for India against Pakistan.

“We’ve been observing the statements made by Congress leaders after the Pahalgam terror attack. Each one is making comments. Robert Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge, Siddaramaiah, Santosh Lad, R.B. Timmapur, and Zameer Ahmad Khan. All of them are singing a different tune,” said the Union Minister while talking to the media after visiting the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha temple in Toravi, Vijayapura.

He sarcastically said that Zameer Khan has said that he is ready for war with Pakistan if Prime Minister Narendra Modi allows. “It proves he is a great martyr,” he said.

“Our Army is strong. People should place their faith in the Indian Army and intelligence agencies. Congress leaders should stop making irresponsible statements. If Congress ministers stop referring to terrorists as ‘brothers’, that would be enough. The Army will take care of the rest,” he claimed.

He further claimed that after the Pahalgam attack, Congress leaders were practically speaking on behalf of Pakistan.

“Now suddenly, they are demanding an attack on Pakistan. In Delhi, they claim to support the Central government, but here they blame intelligence failures. However, unlike during the UPA tenure, there have been no major attacks like the Mumbai attack under the current government. We have managed to contain such threats,” he claimed.

The Union Minister further claimed that the BJP government is taking “strict action” against terrorism, adding that the government has already dealt a diplomatic “blow” to Pakistan.

“Congress is indirectly suggesting we release water to Pakistan, questioning where the Indus water is being held back. Pakistan knows what happens when it doesn’t receive that water. But Congress doesn’t seem to understand this,” he claimed.

A video of Karnataka’s Minister for Housing and Waqf, B.Z. Zameer Ahmad Khan, declaring that he was ready to become a “suicide bomber” for India and walk into Pakistan with explosives to wage war, went viral on social media on Saturday.

The video has garnered widespread attention and is being shared widely across social media platforms, receiving praise from various sections of society.

–IANS

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PM Modi condoles demise of eminent Telangana poet Andesri

Hyderabad, Nov 10 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the demise of eminent Telangana poet Andesri.

The Prime Minister stated that the passing of Andesri left a deep void in our cultural and intellectual landscape.

“His thoughts reflected the soul of Telangana. A prolific poet and thinker, he was the voice of the people, articulating their struggles, aspirations and undying spirit. His words had the power to stir hearts, unite voices and give shape to the collective pulse of society. The way he blended social consciousness with lyrical beauty was outstanding. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” PM Modi posted on ‘X’.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has expressed his profound grief over the passing away of Andesri. He conveyed condolences to the family members.

Pawan Kalyan said in a message on ‘X’ that by penning the state anthem “Jaya Jayahe Telangana Janani Jaya Ketanam,” he has etched an immortal place for himself in Telangana’s history. Expressing profound grief over Andeshri garu’s passing, I convey my deepest condolences to his family members

“His body of work captivates every single one of us. He began his life as a cattle herder and construction labourer, embarking on a journey through the world of letters. He was a writer with a deep grasp of Telangana’s folk traditions and rural life. He penned several film songs as well,” said the actor-politician.

“Listening to the song Mayamaipotunnadamma manishannavadu… reveals just how profoundly Andesri understood society,” added the Jana Sena leader.

Andesri passed away on Monday morning while undergoing treatment at Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad. He was 64.

He was shifted to Gandhi Hospital late on Sunday night after he collapsed at his house in Lalaguda.

Born on July 18, 1961, in Rebarthi village of Maddur mandal in the present Jangaon district, his actual name was Ande Yellaiah.

Despite having no formal schooling, he rose to become one of Telangana’s most celebrated poets. He was awarded a doctorate by Kakatiya University in recognition of his contributions.

–IANS

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