As many as 10 political parties assembled here at Bhubaneswar with a view to strongly opposing anti-people policies of the both the State and Central Governments. They formed an outfit, Odisha Bikash Abhiyan, and gave a war cry against the ruling BJP Government at the Centre and BJD Government in Odisha. Parties like CPI(M), CPI, Samata Kranti Dal, CPI(ML), Samruddha Odisha, Samajwadi Party, Forward Bloc, Rashtriya Janata Dal, RPI and NCP joined hands in the campaign.
A united workers conference was held here on August 10. Issues like protection of the rights of farmers and agriculture, development of industries, proper utilisation of mines and mineral products, protection of the interest of working class of labourers, development of SC and ST communities, solution to the acute unemployment problems, creating employment for unemployed youths, proper maintenance of education and health, solutions to the problems of the rural and the urban areas, extension of drinking water facilities and supply of electricity, upgrading the public distribution system, social security, environmental protection including protection of rivers and such other issues were discussed in a threadbare manner focusing on the aims and objectives of the movement.
The Odisha Bikash Abhiyan proclaimed in its declaration that there has been continuous attack on the institutions of democracy, federal structure, self-reliant economy and on the tenets of secularism enshrined in the Constitution of India, ever since the BJP Government came to power in New Delhi.
The rule of CAA, providing bulldozer justice against minorities and targeting opposition leaders, misuse of black acts like UAPA, reckless use of Sedition Act and employing Central agencies like CBI and ED
against the opposition leaders are on the increase by the Central Government.
The Union Government is bestowing national property to the corporate houses like largesse and has unleashed an abominable system of temporary and contractual system of soldiers through Agnipath scheme trivialising nation’s paramount military establishments. This is nothing but a cruel joke to the unemployed youths of our nation. The BJD Government of Odisha is also extending its support to the BJP Government at the Centre over such issues.
Widespread irregularities and flouting of norms are reported in the auction of mines consequently empowering the mines owners for reckless exploitation of mines and minerals while destroying the ecological balance, harmony and causing environmental degradation. The irrigation system stands neglected while agriculture is at the receiving end. Industries starting from Talcher Fertiliser Plant to handlooms and handicrafts like cottage industries have come to a grinding halt causing a void in industrial production, the forum alleged.
Over 6,000 industries have been closed down on the plea of Corona pandemic. Not an iota of the elementary problems of the State has come
to be resolved during the 22 years of BJD regime in the State. That is why it has come to a pass in the conference that farmers, labourers, youths and students should unitedly create a huge mass movement against such an oligarchic system of both the State and Centre.
The gala political meet was presided over by former Union Minister and
president, International Jaya Prakash Narayan Institute of Studies and Development, New Delhi, Braja Kishore Tripathy.
Prominent among others present in the meet were secretary of CPI(M) Alikishore Pattnaik, secretary of CPI Ashish Kanungo, president of Samruddha Odisha Jatish Mohanty, secretary of CPI(ML) Yudhisthir Mahapatra, former MLA Radhakanta Sethi, Samajwadi Party leader
Sudarshan Pradhan, secretary of Samata Kranti Prabhas Samantray, president of Youth Wing of Samata Kranti Er Sarada Prasanna Swain, RJD leader Hemanta Kumar, IPI president Abdul Ali and president of Forward Bloc Jyoti Mahapatra.