BJP To Launch Agitation Across Odisha On Nov 14 Over ‘Rampant Corruption’ In BJD Govt

Bhubaneswar: Alleging rampant corruption in every sphere under the patronage of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government in Odisha, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday announced its plan to launch a state-wide agitation against all irregularities on November 14.

Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, state BJP president Manmohan Samal alleged that largescale corruption has been taking place right from panchayat level to the state secretariat for the benefit of the ruling BJD and its leaders.

As a mark of protest against massive corruption in government, BJP will launch a five-day agitation from November 14 to 18 across the state, he said, claiming that corruption to the tune of Rs one lakh crore is taking place in the state every year.

As part of the agitation, party workers and leaders will stage demonstration and gherao all block offices throughout the state and make people aware of the corrupt practices adopted by the Naveen Patnaik government, the BJP leader said.

Mounting a scathing attack on the BJD government over the much-hyped ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ scheme, Samal alleged that the programme is designed to fund the election campaign.

Claiming that Panchayati Raj system is being completely sidelined in the implementation of the scheme, the senior BJP leader said though Rs 50 lakh is granted for every panchayat, local representatives and gram sabhas have no say on the manner in which the money is to be spent.

Alleging rampant corruption in Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha scheme, Samal claimed that 50 per cent commission is being collected for different works and the money goes to the ruling BJD and its leaders for undertaking next election campaign.

During the last 23 years of BJD rule, Odisha has been witnessing nothing but corruption, autocracy, atrocities against weaker sections and crimes against women, he claimed.