Bhubaneswar: The Indian National Developmental Inclusive (INDI) Alliance has called for an Odisha bandh on October 8 over issues including the MMDR Amendment Act and alleged unilateral changes to electoral rolls during SIR.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das announced the bandh while addressing a ‘Parivartan Rally’ at Gandhi Marg in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
Das said the alliance would press for the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The alliance has also raised objections to the MMDR Amendment Act and alleged changes to electoral rolls.
“We have called for Odisha bandh on October 8 to press for the resignations of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar,” Das said.
The Congress has been demanding the withdrawal of the amended MMDR law and has raised concerns over its implications for Odisha’s mineral resources. The issue has also triggered repeated protests by Opposition members during the recently concluded Assembly session.
The Odisha Assembly’s Monsoon Session, which was scheduled to continue until October 3, was adjourned sine die on September 28, four days ahead of schedule. The early closure followed repeated disruptions over the MMDR amendment and textbook errors, with the government citing the prevailing flood situation while moving the adjournment motion.
Das said the Opposition had planned to gherao the Odisha Legislative Assembly over the issues, but the early adjournment of the House prevented the programme from being held as planned.
He appealed to people across Odisha to support the October 8 bandh, saying the agitation was aimed at raising issues concerning democracy and governance.
The Congress has been demanding the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that decisions concerning the electoral process were being taken without adequate consultation.
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