With the BJD Government already biting the dust in the Brahma Parivartan fiasco, the Opposition parties look more offensive against it with a slew of issues as the Monsoon Session of the Assembly begins on Tuesday.
Adding insult to injury, another cheating in the name of religion by Kendrapada based Sarathi Baba and his link with ruling party politicians and chit fund scam has compounded the woes of the Government. Both the Congress and BJP have adopted an aggressive posture on the issue. Besides, the Opposition has also caught the Government on the wrong foot for the former SP of Kendrapada Satish Gajviye’s unruly behavior when he ordered lathicharge on protestors in the district during an anti-Sarathi rally. The suspension of Gajviye has not placated the Opposition, who are demanding that the tainted cop be arrested and a land scam against him be probed.
The Congress has targeted to nail the Government on deteriorating law and order, Puri mess, Sarathi scam, failure o tackle draught, Prakash Mishra case, Posco, Belabhali police excess, besides a number of other issues, said leader of Opposition in the Assembly Narasingha Mishra. Mishra also lamented over the one-sided formation of the Police Bill by the Government without taking the leader of Opposition into confidence what he said amounts to beach of Supreme Court’s direction on modalities on formulation of the Bill. He said his party would oppose many provisions in the Bill. Notably, the Bill which could not be presented in the last Assembly Session would be presented this time.
The BJP too has a full load of arsenal to attack the Government which has decided to zero in on issue like price rise of essential commodities, State’s failure to utilise Central grants, Sarathi link with BJD politicians and diversion of MlAlAD funds to his ashram in Kendrapada, attack on Vani Vihar students by anti-socials and Block Grant teachers’ agitation, among others.
State BJP president KV Singh Deo clarified that his party is fully geared up to launch a scathing attack on the BJD Government over several sensitive issues and demand answer from it.
The Government, on the other hand, looked unfazed by the belligerent mood of the Opposition parties. Party spokesperson Pratap Jena said the Opposition has a chance to discuss issues when the House is in session. As such, the Government is fully prepared to keep its stand on various issues to be taken up during discussion. On Police Bill, he said the Opposition could give its suggestions. Sources said the ruling party may also counter the Opposition over cuts in Central grants and Polavaram issue, among others.