Odisha Cong dharna against price rise

Odisha Sun Times Bureau

Bhubaneswar, July 12:

Congress workers launched a dharna in front of the Odisha Raj Bhawan here today with vegetables and domestic LPG cylinders protesting against the spiraling price rise.

Congress workers protesting against price rise in front of Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar  (Pix: Biswaranjan Mishra)
Congress workers protesting against price rise in front of Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar
(Pix: Biswaranjan Mishra)

The Congress held both the Modi led government at the Centre and the Naveen Patnaik government here in the state responsible for the alarming price rise that has hit the common man badly.

A delegation of the Congress leaders later met Governor Dr S C Jamir at the Raj Bhawan and submitted a memorandum to him on the issue.

In an interesting development, the faction ridden state Congress presented a united picture before the media as PCC president Jayadev Jena and former PCC president Niranjan Patnaik were seen sitting next to each other at the dharna site.

Speaking to the media, PCC president Jayadev Jena said; “The Modi government at the Centre and Naveen Patnaik government here are both responsible for the situation today. The weak leadership of the Odisha government is responsible for the Polavaram issue. The Modi government has raised the prices of fuel and LPG which has resulted in the price rise of essential commodities which is now beyond the reach of the common man. There is nothing for Odisha in Modi government’s railway budget notwithstanding the raise in fares ahead of the rail budget. We are protesting against these”.

Former PCC president and senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik said; “We have all gathered here to protest against the price rise and the neglect of Odisha in the railway budget. The general budget of Modi government is disappointing; it has nothing for a poor state like Odisha, no provisions for irrigation, nothing for agriculture. Modi’s promise of special package for eastern region during his poll campaigns has not been reflected in his budget. There is nothing new for Odisha”.

Patnaik questioned why Naveen government is now not alleging of Centre’s neglect and maintaining silence by writing mere letters which he is good at. It is his weak leadership which is responsible for the neglect of Odisha by the Centre, he said.

In its reaction to the Congress dharna to protest price rise, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare minister Sanjay Dasburma told the media that it is the faulty policies of the UPA I and II which has pushed the country to a state where prices have gone beyond control.

“It’s not the time to play politics over the issue; rather we should come together to tackle the issue which is hurting us all,” said Dasburma.

The BJP too has come out heavily on the Congress blaming it for the economic mess it has created in the last 50 years of its rule which has led to such a situation.

BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma, in his reaction on the Congress staging a dharna protesting against price rise, said; “The Congress should feel ashamed to take to the streets as it responsible for the economic mess it has created which is leading to the price rise. How come it is blaming a government which is merely 40 days old”.

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