Bhubaneswar: The BJD's decision to hold a demonstration against alleged Central neglect in front of Raj Bhawan on June 29 is timed to divert attention away from the recent attack on the Union ministers by its workers in Bargarh, the BJP alleged today pointing out that it is staging a demonstration the same day to protest the attack on Union Textiles minister Santosh Gangwar.
Addressing media persons here, BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma said, “We thought they (BJD leaders) will apologise today for the Bargarh incident in their press meet. Besides, we expected a statement from the chief minister regretting the attack on the ministers. But no such thing happened.”
“Why is Pramila Mallick silent when casting couch allegations have been levelled on her party worker when she is outspoken in other incidents? Why has the State government failed to give Rs 1410 to the farmers as minimum support price (MSP) against a quintal of paddy? Why is the distribution of ration cards not yet complete under Food Security Act?....The ruling BJD has strategically decided to grab media space on June 29, a day when we have planned to hit the streets to protest the Bargarh incident,” Sharma said.
Senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra said despite the BJD attempt to shift focus, the party will stage demonstrations in all 314 blocks across the State.
"Besides holding demonstrations at all blocks and in front of the Raj Bhavan, a party delegation will also meet the President to apprise him about the violence perpetrated by BJD workers at Bargarh," he said.
Earlier in the day, the ruling party had announced that it will hold a rally in front of Raj Bhawan on June 29 highlighting Central neglect of Odisha and the farmer community in the State. Talking to the media, party leaders said that the State government is expected to lose Rs 37,000 crore in the coming few years since funds under several Central schemes have been either slashed heavily or stopped altogether.