BJD to launch protest on Jan 6 holding govt responsible for price rise; BJP hits back

Blaming the BJP government for its failure in managing the economy, the Opposition BJD is all set to launch a protest against the rising prices of essential commodities in the State on Monday.

Accusing the Odisha government of mismanagement, the BJD stated that inflation has reached record levels, with Odisha ranking third in the country with a 6.78% inflation rate. 

Women in the State are the worst affected by the price hike, and schemes like the Ujjwala Yojana have failed, claimed the conch party.

Besides, the BJD criticised the BJP for not reducing petrol and diesel prices despite a drop in international fuel rates. Under the leadership of party president Naveen Patnaik, the party will stage a protest at Lower PMG in Bhubaneswar.

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“The BJP has failed to manage the economy and inflation miserably. So we have decided to launch a protest which will be later carried out at the district level,” said Snehangini Chhuria, BJD leader.

Meanwhile, BJP state vice-president Biranchi Narayan Tripathy countered the BJD, stating that the price rise was worse during BJD's rule in Odisha and the situation is now gradually improving. 

He further alleged that the BJD's protest is an attempt to remain in the spotlight.

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“During the BJD ruling, Odisha was on the top of the list of price hikes.  But within six months of BJP’s ruling, the situation has improved,” said Tripathy.