Bhubaneswar, Nov. 22: Normality returned to the Assembly after three days of chaos following agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy’s unconditional apology to BJP MLA Radharani Panda, against whom he had made a vulgar remark on Thursday.

He also promised that he would be watchful about his behaviour in future.

The issue was resolved amicably after speaker Niranjan Pujari called an all-party meeting in his chamber. Maharathy and Panda attended the meeting. This broke the three-day long impasse between the BJD and the Opposition.

The speaker requested both Maharathy and Panda to sort things out amicably so that proceedings of the House could be held peacefully in the larger interest of the state. On the request of the speaker and other leaders present at the meeting, Maharathy tendered his apology to Panda.

Later, the speaker announced in the Assembly that things had been sorted out. “The minister is sorry for his behaviour. He has also assured not to behave in this manner in future. He even addressed Panda as his sister. Now all should co-operate in conducting the proceedings of the House,” Pujari told the House.

Maharathy, who had so far been maintaining he had not used any vulgar language against the MLA, today made a U-turn following pressure from the party leadership that threatened action against him if he did not mend his ways. Maharathy reportedly agreed to abide by the decision of the party and the speaker without any fuss.

Later Maharathy told reporters: “I have decided to follow the advice of senior leaders who attended the all-party meet so that normalcy is restored and the issues pertaining to four crore people of the state can be taken up for discussion.”

Panda, the MLA from Brajaraj Nagar, who had continued her dharna in the House to defend her honour, today said: “Since Maharathy tendered an apology, I decided to forgive him so that normalcy could return and discussion on the money deposit-collection scam could be taken up. I sacrificed my personal dignity for the sake of Odisha’s four crore people.”

As soon as the House convened for the day, Opposition members raised the issue of minister’s alleged offensive remark against the BJP MLA, which had hurt her dignity. Panda also continued with her dhrana demanding an apology and resignation of the minister. The Congress members also displayed placards protesting against the money deposit collection scam and made accusations against the treasury benches.

“It is the responsibility of the government and the speaker to ensure the smooth running of the House. They must respect the Opposition’s views. But they have failed to do that,” said leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra.

BJP legislature party leader Basanta Panda also questioned the attitude of the ruling party saying it lacked basic courtesy and had not even spoken to Panda, let alone offering an apology for the conduct of its minister.

However, the treasury bench members continued with their demonstration on the issue of Centre’s apathy in releasing funds to the state for rehabilitation work following cyclones Hudhud and Phailin. As the pandemonium continued, the chair had to adjourn the House repeatedly.

Later, all the women MLAs of BJD, including minister Usha Devi, came up to Panda and convinced her to forgive Maharathy for once. Panda agreed and attended the all-party meeting called by the Speaker in the afternoon.