Congress thanks people for making Odisha bandh a success

Ayaskant Das Published On : Aug 16, 2016 at 9:24 PM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Aug 16:

The state unit Congress today claimed that the dawn-to-dusk state-wide bandh called to protest the construction of barrages and dams in Chhattisgarh over Mahanadi was successful.

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“I thank the people of Odisha for their support to the bandh and making it a success. We are overwhelmed with the spontaneous participation of people from all walks of life. The state government had adopted all possible ways to thwart the bandh but failed to do so. Around 3,000 Congress workers were detained by police during the bandh,” OPCC president Prasad Harichandan said.

Speaking on similar lines, senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra thanked people as well as sought apology from people for any inconvenience caused to them due to the bandh.

“The bandh was successful today. There is no doubt in it. Our aim is to safeguard the interest of the people of Odisha. Some people might have experienced inconvenience during the shutdown. We regret that. We are bound to tolerate these inconveniences when we are out to safeguard the interests. Congress party would continue to take up issues concerning people,” said senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly Narasingha Mishra.

However, ruling BJD rejected the Congress’ claims.

“Vehicular movement was affected in some parts with people fearing for their properties and damages to their belongings. There was no impact in rural areas,” BJD spokesperson Surya Narayan Patro claimed.

“The ruling party is faction-ridden for which they are speaking in different voices. They are trying to cover up before the people, state’s interest is secondary. Despite the BJD team having no legal sanctity, the Chhattisgarh government had cooperated with it and provided information to them which means that they too want an amicable solution to it. We hope the state government to refrain from politics and resolve the issue in a harmonious manner,” BJP leader Prithviraj Harichandan said.