BJD Holds Farmers’ Rally In Bhubaneswar; BJP Throws Down Debate Challenge
What are you doing? The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) held a farmers’ rally in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, accusing the state government of neglecting the agricultural distress and failing to fulfill its promises to the farming community. The protest here at Lower PMG brought together party leaders and supporters demanding immediate measures to address farmers’ concerns.
The BJD alleged that the government had failed to adequately respond to problems such as falling farmer incomes, inadequate support systems and deteriorating law and order situation in rural areas. The party said the aim of the demonstration was to press for urgent policy intervention and sustained attention to the agricultural sector.
Addressing the meeting, BJD supremo and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik harshly criticized the government’s performance, saying it fell short of the commitments made to farmers. He said that as the government approaches two years in office, many of its assurances have not been fulfilled on the ground.
Patnaik highlighted the welfare measures introduced during the BJD’s tenure, including the KALIA scheme, which he said provided direct support and institutional assistance to farmers. He claimed that the current “twin-engine” government had failed to take any similar initiative and had done little to improve farmers’ conditions.
“The previous BJD government implemented KALIA and many other measures to support farmers, including credit assistance and welfare schemes. What has the current ‘double engine’ government done for the farming community?” Patnaik asked this question, asserting that BJD will continue its campaign to protect the interests of farmers.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rejected the rally as what it called a political exercise aimed at diverting attention from the BJD’s own governance failures.
BJP spokesperson Tankadhar Tripathy challenged the opposition to raise farmers’ issues in the Assembly and initiate a comprehensive debate.
“If BJD really has the guts, the Opposition Leader should come to the Assembly and explain whether there were any irregularities like ‘Katni-Chhatni’ during their tenure,” Tripathy said. He also questioned BJD’s record on expanding irrigation coverage and developing cold storage infrastructure and asked whether the previous government could have prevented farmer suicides.
Tripathy also alleged that the Leader of the Opposition has not adequately voiced farmers’ concerns in the Parliament since the change of government.
He said the BJP was ready for a detailed discussion on agricultural policies and performance and urged the opposition to take part in a full-fledged debate in the Assembly.
