Bhubaneswar: Odisha assembly witnessed disruptions for the third consecutive day on Thursday as BJD joined Congress in protesting against the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, shifting focus from the textbook error issue that had dominated its protests over the previous two days.Trouble erupted soon after the House reassembled for Question Hour. As parliamentary affairs minister Mukesh Mahaling rose to reply to a question, opposition members stormed the well of the House, raised slogans and disrupted proceedings. While BJD MLAs displayed green banners, Congress legislators wore black scarves to press their demand for withdrawal of MMDR Act amendments. Some members climbed onto the reporters’ tables, while others gathered below the Speaker’s podium, creating noisy scenes in the House.Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi initially adjourned proceedings till 4 pm. However, with the uproar continuing after the House reconvened, he adjourned the assembly for the day within minutes.Speaking to media persons outside the House, BJP MLA Irasis Acharya accused the opposition of deliberately stalling proceedings. “Congress had moved an adjournment motion and it was accepted. We were ready for a debate and discussion. They do not have the moral courage to face the House. We want a discussion. People of Odisha have understood that BJP is with them,” he said, adding that BJD and Congress are together in the design.Congress Legislature Party leader Ramachandra Kadam said Odisha, endowed with rich mineral resources, is home to tribal communities that have fought for rights over “jal, jungle and zameen” for decades. “Issues concerning the state’s mineral wealth are being raised in the assembly, but concerns remain over the alleged exploitation of these resources. Congress demands withdrawal of MMDR Act amendments as they are against Odisha’s interests,” Kadam said.Stepping up its attack, BJD termed MMDR Act a “black law” and announced a statewide agitation seeking its withdrawal, alleging that the legislation would undermine Odisha’s interests and adversely affect the lives and livelihoods of tribal communities.Addressing a news conference, BJD senior vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra, vice-president Pratap Jena, MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo, former minister Sudam Marndi and senior general secretary Priti Ranjan Ghadai said the party would launch a mass movement against the amended law. They also announced a major protest rally at Lower PMG in Bhubaneswar on Sept 28, to be attended by BJD president Naveen Patnaik.Mishra alleged that the amendment had curtailed states’ rights over mines and mineral-bearing lands, describing it as an assault on the country’s federal structure. He argued that Odisha, which accounts for a substantial share of the country’s mineral resources, would be among the worst affected by the law. “It is unfortunate that BJP leaders in the state are claiming Odisha will benefit from the amendment. The state stands to lose significantly,” Mishra said.