BJD, BJP indulge in political slugfest over Odisha GPLF workers’ demands

Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) indulged in a blame game over the demands of Gram Panchayat Level Federation (GPLF) workers, after BJD MLA Arun Sahoo unexpectedly addressed the demonstrators on Monday.

This is a move that has been criticised by the saffron camp, claiming it has exacerbated the situation. BJP highlighted that it was under the tenure of BJD that these employees were appointed under contractual agreements. Odisha BJP alleged that the BJD is displaying insincere sympathy for the workers following the non-renewal of their contracts.

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The event was marked by an allegedly impassioned speech from MLA Arun Sahoo, which seemed to further intensify the situation. Despite being part of the previous government, Sahu appeared to strategically shift the responsibility of current issues to the present government, confidently predicting an electoral win for his party.

“Resentment is brewing everywhere. They (BJP) do not know how to run the Government. Even, they do not know how to talk and how to respect someone. People are discussing, if elections will be held today, you (the BJP) will be taught a lesson,” Arun Sahoo said.

“What is the factual base of Opposition BJD shedding crocodile tears? Which government had fixed the terms and conditions to appoint only for five years, when the GPLF workers were engaged in April 2019,” BJP MLA Manas Kumar Dutta stated in his reply.

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Worth mentioning, thousands of employees under the banner All Odisha Gram Panchayat Level Federation (GPLF) Workers’ Union voiced their grievances, with a 10-point charter of demands including the settlement of nine months' overdue wages and the establishment of permanent employment positions.

Community support staff associated with the Mission Shakti Department gathered in a peaceful demonstration on Mahatma Gandhi Marg.