Cong braces up for statewide stir against Odisha govt

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Mar 1, 2015 at 10:38 AM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Mar 1:

The Odisha Congress has prepared a road map for a series of agitations against the government across the state.

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As per the decision taken at a meeting here on Saturday, the party would gherao the office of the Director General of Police (DGP) office in Cuttack on March 4 in protest against the illegal arrest of party youth leaders in connection with egg and stone pelting at the chief minister’s vehicle on February 19.

The party has formed a six-member committee to launch agitations on various issues.

The committee is comprised of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Prasad Harichandan, former presidents Jaydev Jena and Niranjan Patnaik, Leader of the Opposition in State Assembly Narasingha Mishra, Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra and Chiranjibi Biswal.

“The party has formed the committee to launch its agitation on several issues to safeguard the interest of the state and its people. The committee would meet at regular intervals and decide the strategies for agitation. The agitation would begin from March 4 with the gherao of the office of the DGP.

The meeting was attended by the Zilla Parishad presidents, MLAs and senior party leaders.

“The meeting has decided to oppose the visit of the chief minister. We have asked the students and youth wings and the workers of our party to unitedly oppose chief minister Naveen Patnaik during his visit to the districts”, said Congress chief whip Taraprasad Bahinipati.

“The state government is not concerned about the problems of the students, unemployed youth and farmers. Since it has failed in all fronts, the Congress is forced to launch statewide agitations. If necessary, the party will oppose the ministers and the chief minister at each place and wherever they go”, said Prakash Behera, president of the Cuttack District Congress Committee.

However, BJD leader Amar Prasad Satpathy said the party, instead of admitting its wrongdoings to the people, has taken the decision which is a frustrated move.

“The Congress should understand as to why it has failed to get the support from the people. The people would oppose the party”, he added.