The Congress on Monday announced to hold a bandh in Malkangiri district on the day Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visits the district to campaign for the upcoming panchayat elections in favour of his BJD.
“Over a hundred of children have already died of Japanese Encephalitis since the first case reported on September 9. During this period, the Chief Minister has attended project inauguration and foundation-stone laying programmes ahead of the panchayat polls at many places. But he is yet find time to visit the JE-affected Malkangiri district where children are dying every day,” PCC president Prasad Harichandan lamented, adding, “The Congress will observe Malkangiri Bandh on the day the Chief Minister comes to beg for votes for his party candidates.”
Harichandan, who was on a visit to Malkangiri, told mediaperons that the BJD Government doesn’t have any concern for the plights of people and is making false promises to grab power.
“The BJD Government has practised how to announce projects before elections but does not transform those into reality. Had his Government any concern, the Chief Minister would have certainly visited villagers where children are dying due to the Japanese Encephalitis,” said Harichandan. He said the Congress would expose the Naveen Government’s real face before people of the district by observing a bandh on the day of the Chief Minister’s visit.
It may be noted that the Japanese Encephalitis, which is transmitted from pigs to humans through mosquito bites, has taken lives of over 125 children by now.