Nuapada: Amid BJP-BJD’s fight over shifting loyalties and legacy politics, the Odisha Congress on Thursday released its manifesto for the upcoming Nuapada Assembly by-election at Khuntia Bhavan here, assuring people of development and justice.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das, MP Saptagiri Ulaka, Leader of the Congress Legislature Party Ram Chandra Kadam, former Union Minister Srikant Jena, former OPCC presidents Niranjan Patnaik and Jayadev Jena, and former minister Jagannath Patnaik attended the event.
The Congress leaders criticised the BJD and BJP for neglecting Nuapada’s basic needs and vowed to address longstanding issues if elected. “The manifesto clearly outlines solutions to issues such as migration, lack of irrigation and communication facilities, a crumbling health system, and a deteriorating education sector. It also strongly commits to protecting Adivasi rights,” Niranjan Patnaik said.
Reaffirming the party’s commitment to development, ending exploitation, and ensuring justice, they urged voters to support Ghasiram Majhi.
The Congress, which is making efforts to re-establish its influence in the state, is eyeing a win in the bypoll with the tribal leader, an old hand with a support base of his own which was evident in the 2024 polls when he got more than 50,000 votes as an Independent to finish second behind BJD’s Rajendra Dholakia, whose death on September 8 necessitated the by-election.
The then OPCC president Sarat Patnaik had then finished fourth with 15,000 votes.
Ghasiram is pitted against Jay Dholakia, the late MLA’s son and once probable candidate of BJD, who defected to the BJP, and BJD’s Snehangini Chhuria, the party’s women’s wing president and a two-time MLA from neighbouring Bargarh district.
Key Manifesto Promises Of Congress
>> Promote agriculture-based industries, improve farming, revive small-scale industries, and enhance MGNREGS to curb migration by creating local jobs.
>> Build cold storage and warehouses to support farmers.
>> Expand irrigation to 60% of farmland, including upgrading Patora Dam and Tikhali project.
>> Implement the Forest Rights Act for tribal land rights and provide house site pattas to landless families under the Basundhara scheme.
>> Appoint teachers in all schools and improve quality of education.
>> Appoint doctors in PHCs and CHCs and strengthen healthcare.
>> Empower women through self-help groups by supporting small-scale enterprises.