BHUBANESWAR: Decrying egg attacks on two of its Union Ministers, the State unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday conducted silent protests across the State.
The party leaders sat on dharna in front of the State headquarters and criticised the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for resorting to violence.
‘’The BJD is using the police to unleash violence against its opposition,’’ state BJP vice-president Samir Mohanty said referring to the attacks on Union Minister Jual Oram whose convoy was attacked with eggs last week in Kendrapara.
The party office bearers, legislators, State executive members and workers staged similar silent protests across the districts. Rallies and dharna were also organised.
The party also slammed the State Government for the spate of violence after panchayat polls stating that the BJD has become intolerant to the rise of opposition. Any voice of resistance is being met with attacks by BJD-sponsored goons, it said.
BJP charged the Government for a deterioration in law and order situation in the State saying the gangrape and murder of a 45-year-old widow in Dhenkanal district was a grim pointer to it. The local police is providing shield to some of the accused in the case, the party alleged.
In Cuttack, the silent protest was attended by former minister Samir Dey while in Sambalpur, national secretary Suresh Pujari was present.
Meanwhile, the BJD’s youth and students wings will hold protest meetings across the districts on Monday to condemn Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh’s remarks on special category status to Odisha.