Odisha: Scuffle ensues with police as Congress workers attempt to gherao Lok Seva Bhawan

Bhubaneswar: Odisha unit of Congress today framed corruption charges against the ruling BJD. Hundreds of party workers from across the State got down on roads and agitated in Bhubaneswar. They attempted to gherao the Lok Seva Bhawan here but were deterred by platoons of on-duty policemen.

According to a source, Congress workers along with several senior leaders congregated in the morning at the party office. They took out a procession from Congress Bhawan and marched towards the Lok Seva Bhawan to gherao it. On their way, the protestors were intercepted at the Lower PMG area.

Congress workers tried to break the police cordon and this triggered tension. Lower PMG turned into a battlefield for some time. Later, police picked some of them and took to elsewhere in the city.

“Our party will hit the streets in the days ahead. We appeal to people to topple the BJD-led government. Both the BJD and BJP are involved in utter corruption and our fight will continue. We are opposed to crime against women, corruption, and unemployment,” Odisha PCC chief Sarat Pattanayak said.

“BJD Government’s misrule knows no bounds! Betraying farmers, youth, women, tribals, Dalits, and every citizen. Congress stands with the people in their fight for justice. Gheraoing the Secretariat to demand accountability and real change,” the PCC president later wrote on his personal ‘X’ handle.