Cong, BJP, Maoists extend support to Odisha bandh on Feb 21

Bhubaneswar: Opposition parties Congress, BJP and Maoists have extended their support to the Odisha bandh called by the Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) on February 21.

While Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Niranjan Patnaik today informed about the support of the party towards the shutdown call, State BJP President Basant Panda had yesterday said the saffron party will support NNKS for the bandh.

“The farmers have the right to express their opinion and protest in a democracy. The state government has time and again tried to throttle the voice of the farmers. We will protest the anti-farmer policies,” said Panda.

On the other hand, a poster of Maoists today surfaced at Budaguda in Baliguda area of Kandhamal district, in which the red rebels have mentioned about their support to the bandh call.

Notably, the NNKS has called for a state-wide bandh on February 21 to protect the interest of farmers. The outfit has been demanding price, prestige and pension for the farmers in the state. They demand a security allowance of Rs 5,000 per month for the farmers of the state.

It has also sought cooperation from truck and bus associations urging them to keep their vehicles off the road during the bandh.

“We have requested political parties, traders’ associations and the bus and truck owners’ associations to support our cause and make the bandh successful,” said NNKS convener Akshaya Kumar.

Also read: Odisha govt urges farmers’ body to desist from bandh on Feb 21.

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