Bhubaneswar: While there is a buzz for early election in Odisha, Governing BJD and Opposition BJP have locked their horns targeting each other over different issues, resulting in hike of political activities.
The BJD and BJP on Tuesday launched three-day long demonstrations against each other.
The BJD staged dharna before Raj Bhawan over reduction of reducing the budgetary allocation on paddy procurement and closure of PMGKAY program, while the BJP hit the street in the capital city over deteriorating law and order situation in the State.
The Ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) staged dharna before Raj Bhawan here and later, submitted a memorandum to the Governor to press their demands.
A conspiracy has been made to finish the farmers. On one hand, the Centre is yet to release food subsidy dues of more than Rs 14,000 crore to Odisha. On the other hand, the budgetary provision for procurement of paddy has been reduced by Rs 20,000 crore for the year 2023-24, said BJD General Secretary (Organization) Pranab Prakash Das.
About Rs 80,000 crore was spent on procurement in 2021-22 while only about Rs 60,000 crore is kept in the budget for 2023-24.
Similarly, the Centre has discontinued distribution of 5 kg free rice under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). Poor people, who have been largely affected by the Covid pandemic, are suffering because of this move, said senior BJD Vice President Debi Prasad Mishra.
With closure of the scheme, the paddy procurement will drastically go down and the farmers will be deprived of getting the MSP, he said.
The BJD will also stage dharna at panchayat offices across the state on February 15. On the next day (February 16), the ruling party will stage demonstrations at block offices and submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the district Collectors.
On the other hand, the BJP leaders and workers staged road blockades at major roads and squares in the city including AG Square, Jaydev Vihar, Palasuni, Khandagiri and Samantarapur. Due to the protest by the BJP, traffic movement was affected for nearly two hours.
Targeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over murder of minister Naba Das by police personnel last month, the BJP leaders demanded his resignation.
Holding the Chief Minister responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, BJP Chief Whip Mohan Majhi said he will seek a statement from the CM on the prevailing law and order situation in the state during the upcoming budget session.
Another BJP leader Bhrugu Baxipatra said, “The law and order situation has deteriorated in the last 23 years even though the Chief Minister holds the Home department. Crimes such as dacoity, rape, murder and violence against women are on the rise.”
Alleging the Chief Minister has failed to protect people of the state, he demanded the resignation of the CM.
The BJP has decided to stage dharna in front of collectors’ offices across the state on February 15. On the next day (February 16), the party will stage a demonstration in front of the Raj Bhawan and submit a memorandum to the President through the Governor.
