BJD hits streets over ‘fertiliser shortage’; BJP refutes charge, claims protest politically motivated

The alleged fertiliser crisis in Odisha spilled onto the streets on Monday as the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) staged a massive protest in Bhubaneswar, accusing the government of failing to ensure a timely supply to farmers.

The agitation escalated when party workers tried to gherao the Raj Bhavan, leading to scuffles with police and tense scenes outside the Governor’s residence.

Hundreds of BJD workers marched through the capital city, raising slogans against the government’s handling of the crisis. As they reached Raj Bhavan, protesters tried to break through iron barricades, triggering a scuffle with security forces. Police used force to push back the crowd as the situation briefly turned chaotic.

A delegation of BJD leaders, including MLAs, was allowed inside Raj Bhavan to submit a memorandum to Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, highlighting the plight of farmers unable to access fertilisers during the crucial crop season. Outside, however, workers continued their standoff with police amid heightened security deployment.

“The Odisha government is trying to play politics with the farmers of the state. It refuses to acknowledge their plight and is too absorbed in itself to take a look at what is happening in the state. We want immediate action and will request the Governor to intervene in this matter as the government is unable to handle it,” said BJD legislator Ganeshwar Behera.

Government Review Amid Shortages

The protests came just days after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi convened a high-level review meeting to address growing reports of urea and fertiliser scarcity.

Following the meeting, the officials maintained that there is no shortage at the state level and that distribution to districts is ongoing. Deputy CM Singh Deo said raids had been carried out at several places where hoarding and malpractice were reported, and assured that stocks procured from the Centre would meet demand over the next 8–10 days.

During an interaction with OTV, BJP leader Surath Biswal claimed that the BJD was trying to politicise a highly sensitive issue.

“There is absolutely no shortage. There are some issues with the supply chain, and they are being resolved. If the BJD keeps inciting violence like this, no law and order will remain in the state,” said Biswal.

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Farmers’ Ordeal Continues On The Ground

Despite official claims, ground reports from multiple districts suggest a deepening crisis. In Ganjam, hundreds of farmers queued up overnight outside cooperative societies, with lines stretching nearly half a kilometre.

Many left Aadhaar cards or slippers in the queue to secure their turn, only to find a limited supply when the counters opened.

Only 450 bags of fertiliser were distributed at Aska Mangalpur Cooperative Society on Sunday, against more than a thousand waiting cultivators. Police had to be deployed to manage the restless crowd. Farmers expressed anger, accusing authorities of repeated failures despite repeated assurances from ministers who had visited the district.