Bhubaneswar, April 1: A Congress MLA has been trying to raise the demand in the Assembly for giving posthumous Bharat Ratna to freedom fighter and martyr Laxman Naik.

However, he has not been allowed so far to make his point in the House before the end of the first half of the budget session yesterday.

Naik, a tribal chieftain from Malkangiri in undivided Koraput district, was leading freedom struggle during the Quit India movement in 1942 and hanged in Berhampur jail on March 29, 1943 after being implicated in a murder case by British police.

The state government on Tuesday announced to name the proposed medical college to be set up in Koraput after Naik, apparently to take the wind out of the Opposition sails.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Laxmipur MLA Kailash Kulesika said he had given a notice to the Assembly secretariat on March 29, which coincided with the martyrdom day of Naik to move a motion in the House. The motion was aimed to demand the conferment of the country's highest civilian honour posthumously on the tribal martyr.

"I had been trying to raise the matter for the past three days to draw the attention of the Chair. But, I was not allowed to raise the issue," rued Kulesika, a tribal MLA, who hails from the undivided Koraput district.

"Perhaps, the BJD is not interested as it has been demanding Bharat Ratna for former chief minister Biju Patnaik. But, I have no objection if the honour is given to Biju babu as well. My point is that the sacrifice made by the martyr for the country's independence should be duly recognised," said the MLA.

"Naik had not only laid down his life for the country, but also left his family in penury. His landed properties was confiscated by the British," said Kulesika, justifying his demand.

Congress legislature party (CLP) leader Narasingha Mishra said Kulesika had not consulted the legislature party before giving the notice for the motion.

"It might be his personal move. However, the party will take up the matter, if it is brought to its knowledge," he said.