Protest politics spills over to streets in Odisha

Three major political parties of the State including the ruling BJD on Monday hit the streets on different issues.

BHUBANESWAR: Three major political parties of the State including the ruling BJD on Monday hit the streets on different issues.

While activists of youth and student wings of the BJD  staged demonstration on Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh and special category status issue, Congress workers held protests seeking justice over gangrape and murder of a widow in Dhenkanal district.

(Clockwise from top left) Girls on their way to attend school which reopened after summer vacation, supporters of Congress take out a rally at Station Square, BJD workers stage protest, BJP activists hold demonstration and kids enjoy icecream in front of a school in Bhubaneswar on Monday | Express

The BJP Yuva Morcha took out rallies in five cities of the State protesting corruption in State Government offices. The Yuva Morcha activists held demonstrations in Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Balasore, Sambalpur and Rourkela urging the State Government to stop the practice of commission (known as PC) in Government offices.

On the other hand, activists of Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) staged demonstrations in all district headquarters, Bhubaneswar, Berhampur and Rourkela. The ruling BJD has renewed its agitation against the Centre on the twin issues of Mahanadi water dispute and special category status to Odisha after the recent controversial remarks of Chhattisgarh Commerce and Industry Minister Amar Agarwal and Union Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh.

In the State Capital, BJD leaders and workers marched from the Special Circuit House to the office of Additional District Magistrate where they burnt effigies of Union Minister Singh and the Chhattisgarh Minister. They criticised the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre for neglecting Odisha on the twin issues.

Singh, during his recent visit to Odisha, had said the State does not require special category status. The Chhattisgarh Industries Minister, while justifying the construction of barrages on the upper catchments of Mahanadi river, had accused the ruling BJD of politicising the issue for electoral gains. Agarwal had also said his Government has constructed seven barrages to meet the water requirement of industries.

Similarly, protesting the deteriorating law and order situation in the State and demanding trial of the Kankadahada gangrape and murder case in a fast track court, Congress workers staged demonstrations across the State.