CPI(M) to protest against Land Bill

Berhampur: Claiming that mineral- rich states like Odisha would be worst-affected if the Land Acquisition Bill became an Act, CPI(M) today said party supporters would demonstrate in Bhubaneswar on March 17 to protest the measure.

"Ruling BJD in Odisha wants passage of the Bill in Parliament to gain profit from corporate houses," CPI-M state committee Secretary Ali Patnaik said here.

He alleged that both BJP and BJD were anti-farmer and worked for the benefit of corporate players.

The role of the ruling BJD was exposed when its MPs staged a walkout in Lok Sabha when the Bill was passed.

Instead of walking out, BJD members should have voted against the bill, Patnaik said.

"The visit of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to New Delhi during the debate of the controversial bill exposed the BJD," the CPI(M) leader said.

Describing the Bill as pro-industry, the CPI(M) leader said party supporters would stage a dharna in Bhubaneswar on March 17 against it.