Tensions are mounting in Odisha ahead of a crucial bandh on January 28, spearheaded by the Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan and now fully endorsed by Congress. At the heart of the unrest are glaring irregularities in paddy buying processes, mismanaged smart meter deployments, and harsh PUCC fines squeezing farmers and commuters.
The OPCC’s vocal support came via a compelling video statement, reaffirming commitment to agrarian causes. Congress has long campaigned against subsidy denials for high-volume paddy sellers and punitive PUCC charges, issues that have sparked statewide outrage. Bhakta Charan Das rallied party faithful across districts to join forces, making the bandh a resounding statement.
From 6 AM to 2 PM, protesters will focus on procurement frauds at mandis and excessive pollution certification fees, without impeding vital services such as medical emergencies or rail operations, as clarified by Akshay Kumar.
BJD’s positive stance, articulated by Lenin Mohanty, frames the bandh as a necessary outcry from beleaguered farmers. The party has lined up intensive protests starting February 2, ending with a large-scale demonstration in the capital on February 24, zeroing in on rice procurement woes and governance failures.
This farmer-led movement, bolstered by bipartisan backing, exposes deep-rooted problems in Odisha’s agricultural administration. The government’s next moves will be pivotal, as failure to act could ignite broader unrest and alter electoral dynamics in the rice bowl state.