Sanjeev Kumar Pradhan

Rourkela: Hundreds of Congress workers protested Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's visit to Rourkela today and staged an agitation at the Birsa square in the city.

According to sources, workers of the Sundergarh district Congress staged an agitation at the Birsa square by tying up black cloth around their foreheads opposing the Chief Minister's visit. They protested the CM's programme to lay foundation stone for 25 development projects at Udit Nagar ground in Rourkela. The agitators further alleged that there is no need to lay the foundation stone as this is only done for political gains.

"The Chief Minister had assured the residents of Sundergarh and Rourkela in 2013 for construction of Koel barrage, establishment of a medical college and hospital in Kuanramunda and a Xavier Institute and had also laid the foundation stone. But, the works are yet to kick start," said an agitating member of Congress, Rabi Ray.

Similarly BJP also staged an agitation at the Udit Nagar square protesting the Chief Minister's visit to the city.

Later in the evening, the CM inaugurated the second exhibition match between Odisha XI and New South Wales (Australia) XI in Steel City. The CM also inaugurated a slew of other developmental projects in the district.

scrollToTop