A large number of BJD members and supporters from the Ali Assembly constituency gathered at Balakati on Thursday demanding grant of Special Category State status to Odisha by the Centre to ensure faster development of the State.
While School and Mass Education Minister Rabi Narayan Nanda attended the meeting as the district observer. Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Pratap Keshari Deb presided over the meeting.
Others who attended the meeting were Sridhar Swain, Kendrapada Zilla Parishad president Kishore Chnadra Samal, former Pattamundai MlA Bhaskar Chandra Samal, Bhisma Narayan Mohanty Kapilenrda Mallick, Rajkanika block chairman Jayadev Das, former Rajkanika block chairman Jagadananda Bal, Dibakar Nayak and Narayan Prasad Dhal.
They criticised the “step-motherly attitude” of the UPA Government towards Odisha.