Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Sunday announced a series of statewide protests, culminating in a massive public rally in Bhubaneswar on February 24, alleging farmer distress, delayed paddy procurement, and a breakdown of law and order under the BJP-led Odisha government.
Addressing a press conference, senior BJD leaders Debi Prasad Mishra, Sanjay Das Burma, Arun Kumar Sahu, and Santrupt Mishra said the agitation would begin on February 2 and continue across the state till February 17, before converging in the capital.
The opposition party accused the government of failing farmers, citing fertiliser shortages, black marketing, and serious delays in paddy procurement. According to the BJD, while nearly 19 lakh farmers are registered for procurement, paddy has been lifted from only about five lakh farmers so far, leaving a large number without timely payments.
The party also raised concerns over what it described as a sharp rise in crimes against women and a general deterioration in law and order. Holding the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party responsible, BJD leaders alleged administrative apathy and governance failure.
Declaring “the fight begins now,” the BJD said it would intensify its agitation in the coming weeks, positioning the protests as a mass movement against what it termed anti-farmer policies and the collapse of public safety in the state.
-OdishaAge
