Bhubaneswar:8/March/2010
Bhupinder Singh was seen in a much happier mood today.
The Leader of Opposition sounded more confident and bold than the earlier session in Odisha House.
While Mr.Singh entered the Assembly premises, he was exuding confidence.
A political commentator pointed out the cause of his happiness.
He said Naveen Patnaik has helped him to feel more comfortable and confident!!!
How come the BJD Boss will make Congress Legislative Party Leader happy?
He said the decision of the Chief Minister to declare sine die of the Assembly before 11 days of its original sitting has helped the CLP Leader in a big way to unite the faction ridden Congress.
House was adjourned on 6 December ending the winter session, though it was to be adjourned on 19 December.
And during those days all the Congress Lawmakers organized Mock Assembly and remained inside the House till 19 December.
During these days Mr.Singh took the much needed time to assuage the feelings of the other faction, who were out to dislodge him from the post.
Earlier at least 11 Congress lawmakers were gunning for him and even went to meet the High Command for the change.
However smart Bhupinder took the advantage of the situation.
And this is because of the short-sightedness of the BJD Big Wigs, who opted for premature sine die, said a political analyst.
Today when the House assembles unity among all the 27 Congress Lawmakers was visible.
Earlier 16-17 MLAs were attending the CLP Meeting, where as now there is total unity among them, said an insider.
So the Opposition Congress boycotted Governor Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare's Address to the Odisha House on 8 March here.
A Congress MLA tore a copy of his speech terming it as a "fake story" prepared by the BJD Government.
The Governor, who stood to address the opening day of the third session of the Fourteenth Assembly, was first requested by Leader of Opposition Mr. Singh not to read out the speech prepared by the State Government.
As the Governor went on reading the speech, Congress members shouted on top of their voice while the Leader of Opposition began a parallel speech.
Governor reprimanded the Opposition saying that while he is making obituary reference, they are opposing him.
Opposition Congress was in no mood to listen the Governor and walked out of the House, showing a united spirit.
However BJP lawmakers remained inside the House and they tried to toe a different line.
A senior Congress lawmaker admitted the fact that now CLP is united and it will put up a united fight to the Treasury Bench.