BJP seeks Odisha health minister’s head over infant deaths

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Sep 2:

The Odisha unit of BJP today launched a state-wide stir to protest against the serial death of infants in Cuttack Sishu Bhavan and demanded the resignation of Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak.

BJP workers demonstrated in front of all 314 blocks in the state, besides the state capital.

In Bhubaneswar, hundreds of party workers led by BJP Bhubaneswar District President Amiya Dash, State Unit vice president Pruthviraj Harichandan and Spokesperson Samir Mohanty today gheraoed the official residence of the Health Minister and demanded his resignation.

“Serial death continues at the Sishu Bhavan where 61 infants have died in less than 12 days. It is a grave issue and highly deplorable for an institute of its repute. This inefficient government has done nothing to prevent it. It has also been unable to reap the benefits even though the Union Government and the central team from the Health ministry are willing to offer all help as directed by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. We condemn the negligence of the government and demand the resignation of the Health Minister,” said Dash.

The situation was all the same at the epicentre of the issue, the Sishu Bbhavan of Cuttack, where senior leader Nayan Mohanty led the agitation by the Cuttack unit of BJP. Mohanty too appreciated the efforts of the Union government and Dharmendra Pradhan while pulling up the state government and holding them responsible for the series of death.

The Sambalpur agitation was led by party Vice president Pratap Sarangi, who held a demonstration in front of the CDMO office and submitted a memorandum to the Governor. In Patnagarh, BJP State Unit Chief KV Singhdeo led the demonstration and announced the demonstrations to continue till the party’s concerns are addressed.

It was more or less the same in most other parts of the state. The party organized protests in all 314 blocks of the state today. These protests were largely peaceful.

Reacting to BJP’s state-wide protest, Health Minister Atanu Nayak blamed his arch-rival Bijoy Mohaptra without taking his name.

“I have been saying this from the beginning that the BJP and the man who contested (the election) with me are going through an identity crisis. This is a political move. No man should do politics over health issues. More so, when we are trying to implement other’s recommendations,” said Nayak.