BJD leader VK Pandian's Bolangir visit opposed, Congress holds massive protest

The student and youth wings of the Congress party opposed 5T Chairman and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader VK Pandian’s visit to Bolangir district on Thursday.

Pandian was in Bolangir to attend a ‘Nabin Odisha’ programme being held at Gandhi Stadium.

The members of the Congress party set out in a rally from Rajendra College Square with placards and banners in their hands. They were heading towards the Gandhi stadium when the police stopped them midway.

After that, the protesters sat on the road and staged a demonstration.

They alleged when Rajendra University is grappling with lecturer shortage, the government is holding political programmes with public money.

Sources said more than 70 per cent of posts of staff and faculty are lying vacant in the prestigious University in western Odisha hampering the studies. The matter was raised in the previous Assembly sessions as well.

It is pertinent to mention here that the University is currently holding exams for the students. The Congress party opposed organising the Nabin Odisha programme beside the University campus during the exams.

As per reports, tight security arrangements have been made for Pandian’s programme in Bolangir.

No BJD leaders were available for comments in this connection.