BJD leaders accused the BJP government of turning Odisha into a “disturbed” state, citing recent murders and violence that they say have left common people feeling unsafe. They alleged police inaction and claimed criminals operate with political protection. The BJP counters that culprits are arrested promptly and conviction rates have risen, rejecting the “disturbed state” charge.
BJD leader Naveen Patnaik marked International Labour Day by demanding India’s minimum wage be raised to Rs 800. He accused the BJP government of failing to implement welfare schemes effectively, saying frontline workers such as Mission Shakti members, Bank Mitras and ASHA workers are not getting their due benefits. Patnaik called workers the nation’s backbone and urged immediate action.
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A tribal man in Keonjhar, Odisha, reportedly carried his sister’s skeleton to a bank to withdraw funds, but was allegedly asked for proof of death. The episode triggered political backlash, with BJD leaders alleging administrative failure. An inquiry has been ordered, and the man later received financial aid and necessary death-related certificates.
Biju Janata Dal has asked Odisha Assembly Speaker to disqualify eight MLAs accused of anti-party conduct and violating the whip in the recent Rajya Sabha elections. The BJD claims their cross-voting amounts to voluntarily giving up party membership. Congress has also acted against its MLAs for similar reasons, escalating conflict over party discipline in the state assembly.
Odisha’s opposition BJD and Congress have dismissed the upcoming special assembly session on women’s participation in democracy as a politically motivated “drama.” The ruling BJP counters that the opposition is obstructing implementation of women’s reservation in legislatures, pointing to a women’s reservation bill that was recently defeated in Parliament.
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