The streets around the Odisha State Assembly transformed into a battleground today as two major opposition parties, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress, staged separate protests against government policies. Barricades were broken, and water cannons were deployed by police, leading to multiple injuries and over 100 arrests from both sides.
The BJD led the charge in the morning, decrying the alleged curtailment of powers for elected representatives in the Panchayati Raj system under the BJP-led government. Following this, the Kisan Congress wing of the Indian National Congress took to the streets, demanding an adequate supply of fertilisers for farmers amid widespread shortages and black marketing. Clashes ensued on Gandhi Marg as protesters from both parties confronted police forces, resulting in over 20 injuries among leaders, workers, and law enforcement personnel.
BJD’s Siege: Protesting Erosion of Panchayati Raj Powers
The BJD’s protest focused on what they claim is the systematic undermining of the Panchayati Raj institutions by the BJP government. Accusing the ruling party of sidelining elected panchayat representatives and favouring bureaucratic control, BJD leaders alleged that rural development has stalled since the BJP came to power. The demonstration began around 11 AM, with over 2,000 BJD leaders and workers marching from the Master Canteen towards the assembly.
Protesters repeatedly broke through barricades, leading to repeated scuffles with police. Despite attempts to halt the advance, the situation escalated, prompting police to use water cannons. In the aftermath, over 100 BJD members were arrested.
BJD leader Pratap Jena lambasted the government, stating: “The Constitution emphasises strengthening the three-tier Panchayati Raj system to empower rural development in the hands of the people. Since the BJP came to power in the state, they have violated this daily in their lust for control. By trampling on the rules at the panchayat, panchayat samiti, and zilla parishad levels, the BJP is repeatedly attempting to paralyse the Panchayati Raj system. Using administrative machinery, they undermine the dignity of elected representatives with new measures every day. The BJP government is turning elected representatives into mere rubber stamps by handing more power to officials, directionlessly controlling the Panchayati Raj system.”
A key grievance highlighted by the BJD is the recent cabinet decision reducing the financial authority of block chairpersons, transferring it to Block Development Officers (BDOs). With BJD-supported chairpersons in 90% of blocks, the move is seen as a strategy to diminish opposition influence in fund allocation and rural projects.
Previously, BDOs could approve bills up to ₹2 lakh, but the new policy raises this to ₹20 lakh without needing the block chairperson’s countersignature. Most block projects fall within ₹10-15 lakh, effectively sidelining chairpersons. Now, chairpersons’ approval is required only for projects between ₹20 lakh and ₹50 lakh, a shift critics call a deliberate power grab by the Mohan Majhi-led government.
Congress’s Siege: Demanding Fertiliser Supply Amid Crisis
In the afternoon, the Odisha Kisan Congress, under the leadership of its president Abhay Sahu, besieged the assembly over acute fertiliser shortages, rampant black marketing, and government apathy. Over a thousand Congress leaders and workers participated, starting with a procession from Lakshmi Temple in Cuttack, passing through Rasulgarh and Vani Vihar, before converging at Congress Bhawan for a meeting and then marching to the assembly.
Sahu addressed the issue, saying: “Farmers across the state have been suffering from fertiliser shortages for the past two months. From Nabarangpur to Rayagada, and from Mahendratanaya to the Mahodadhi coast, farmers are abandoning fields to sit on roads in protest. Instead of working in fields, they’re demonstrating at cooperative societies, agriculture offices, and collectorates. They’re queuing with Aadhaar cards, waiting for fertilizer that never arrives. The government boasts of having lakhs of tons of urea in stock, but farmers get no relief. By harassing farmers, the government is causing immense harm to the people of the state.”
The protests underscore growing discontent with the BJP government’s handling of rural governance and agricultural issues, with opposition parties vowing to intensify their agitation.
