Bhubaneswar, Dec. 19 -- BJP MLAs of Odisha on Thursday requested chief minister Mohan Majhi to reconsider the controversial 211% hike in MLAs' salaries and allowances, acknowledging the need to respect popular sentiment over a decision that has made the state's lawmakers the highest-paid in the country.

The issue was raised during a BJP Legislature Party meeting at the party's state headquarters, attended by CM Majhi, deputy CM Pravati Parida, and state BJP president Manmohan Samal, along with all ministers and party MLAs.

"We had a detailed discussion on the proposed salary hike and allowances of the current and former lawmakers in the House. Showing due respect to the sentiments of the people, all the lawmakers of the BJP have request...