CM Naveen Faces Protest In Home Turf, Several BJP Activists Picked Up By Police

Several members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were picked up by the police in Ganjam district for allegedly protesting against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during his visit to the district on Sunday.

As per reports, the BJP activists took out a roadshow and raised ‘Naveen Patnaik go back’ slogans alleging the CM's inaction in lady teacher Mamita Meher murder case in Kalahandi district.

Following the protest, the Police picked them up from the site.

Earlier in the day, some Congress party workers were also detained for protesting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s visit to Ganjam district.

The party activists staged a road blockade at RMC square in Hinjili and showed black flags as a mark of protest to the CM’s visit demanding the ouster of Home Minister Dibya Shankar Mishra for his alleged involvement in lady teacher Mamita Meher’s murder in Kalahandi.

Notably, Patnaik visited his constituency for the first time after 2019 general election. The State government has earmarked Rs 651 crore for as many as 651 projects in different sectors like road, drainage, education and health in the constituency.

“We have started distributing Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana smart cards in Ganjam. Work is underway for the development of Maa Tara Tarini pitha and the target has been set to finish the work by January 2023,” said Patnaik.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Odisha Assembly winter session was adjourned sine die after the BJD Chief Whip brought the motion citing no work left for the government in the House. The Opposition BJP and Congress had been creating ruckus in the House demanding ouster of MoS (Home) Dibyashankar Mishra. They also alleged, while the Chief Minister has ample time to visit across Odisha to distribute BSKY cards to the beneficiaries, he deliberately remained absent in the Assembly.