A flying kiss to the Assembly speaker injects laughter riot

New Delhi : Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati went emotional and blew a flying kiss to the Assembly speaker SN Patro after he was given a chance to speak in the house; the gesture left everyone in splits in the house.

The Jeypore MLA clarified his action and said that it was not meant to insult the speaker instead it was a way to express his gratitude to the respected Speaker.

"I wanted to thank the Speaker. The flying kiss was a mark of my appreciation for him as he showed concern for the backward areas in my constituencies," he said.

"I am indebted to the Speaker for giving me the opportunity among the 147 members of the House to raise the first question," Bahinipati told reporters outside the Assembly.

He also spoke about the water issues prevailing in his constituency.

Last week, he had made headlines for approaching the CM Naveen Patnaik during the winter session and asking, "Apana Khusi Ta? (Sir, Are you happy?)" Patnaik had promptly responded, saying "Mu Bahut Khushi. (I am very happy)."

The phrase - Apana Khusi ta – became so popular that even T-shirts can be seen selling with the quote on the online stores.