Bhubaneswar: The ongoing strike by the Odisha Rajaswa Amala Sangha has spiraled into a political slugfest, with the Governing BJP and Opposition BJD trading accusations of instigating the protest for political gain. Now Congress has joined its’ mite as the strike enters its second week, public services remain paralyzed, leaving citizens to bear the brunt of the administrative deadlock.
Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari has been at the forefront of the government’s response, issuing stern warnings to the striking employees. He has accused the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of orchestrating the protest, claiming that certain association leaders are acting under the influence of the opposition party to destabilize the newly formed government.
Shri Pujari has also pointed fingers at the previous BJD government for failing to resolve the long-standing demands of the employees, leaving behind a legacy of unresolved issues. He warned that the government is prepared to implement a “no work, no pay” policy and take other stringent measures if the employees do not return to work immediately.
The Opposition BJD has vehemently denied these allegations, turning the tables on the Revenue Minister. BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty stated that the strike is a direct result of Minister Shri Pujari’s “incompetence” and his inability to address the legitimate demands of the employees.
Instead of finding a solution, the BJD argues, the Minister is resorting to a political blame game to deflect from his own failures. Senior BJD leader Ashok Chandra Panda further criticized the Minister’s remarks, likening them to “blaming roads for not knowing how to walk.”
Amidst the political sparring, the Congress has also weighed in. PCC President Bhakta Charan Das has urged the Revenue Minister to end his “stubbornness” and engage in a dialogue with the union leaders. Das has emphasized the need for the government to consider the bureaucrats’ demands with sympathy and find an immediate solution in the interest of the suffering public.
With the government and the striking employees at an impasse and the political climate heating up, the future of the strike remains uncertain. The public is left to wait and watch as essential services remain suspended, hoping for a swift resolution to the administrative and political gridlock.