Bhubaneswar is gearing up for a pivotal moment in state politics as the Odisha Legislative Assembly’s budget session kicks off on February 17. Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati will formally inaugurate the proceedings with his address, setting the tone for intense deliberations ahead.
This sixth session of the 17th Odisha Assembly is slated to run until April 8, structured in two phases with 28 working days. Lawmakers will dive deep into the state’s financial roadmap, key development initiatives, and simmering political controversies that have gripped the region.
The session opens with discussions on the governor’s speech, running from February 17 to 19, followed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi presenting the 2026-27 budget on February 20. Holding the finance portfolio himself, Majhi’s budget is poised to be a litmus test for both economic strategy and political maneuvering.
Appropriation bills tied to the budget will hit the floor on March 31, sparking detailed debates. With panchayat and urban local body elections on the horizon, analysts predict a flurry of voter-centric schemes targeting rural and urban demographics alike.
Tensions are high between the ruling BJP and opposition parties BJD and Congress. Expect fireworks over issues like paddy procurement mismanagement, rising crimes against women, PUC certificate scams, and controversies surrounding smart electricity meters.
This session follows a historic address by President Droupadi Murmu to the assembly on November 27, 2025, underscoring Odisha’s evolving political landscape. Stakeholders from across the spectrum are watching closely as these discussions could reshape the state’s future trajectory.
