Unfurling of party flag amid chanting of “Bande Mataram” followed by a grand road show marked the launch ceremony of the Kosal Janata Dal (KJD) in Rourkela on December 22.
The highlight of the show was a motorbike rally which sta-rted from Choudhury Complex of civil town, passed through the STI chowk, Uditnagar, Municipal chowk, Hockey chowk and Panposh before culminating at the People Garden.
later, while addressing a joint meeting of the State executive and the general body, party president Baidyanath Mishra called upon the members to remain ‘stronger together’ and said unity is the road to achieve any desired goal.
“Through a positive frame of mind and hard work, we can be successful in getting the new Statehood for our region which suffered years of negligence by successive Governments,” he said. As an example, he referred to Justice PK Mohanty Commission’s report on regional imbalance which is being reviewed by a sub-committee appointed since 2008.
Chief guest of the meeting Sasanka Sekhar Panda traced the history relating to merger of the princely States and said there was an agreement with the Government that the parent State will spread 70 per cent of its revenue to remove backwardness of the Gadjat States.
However, that never happened and the hiatus increased further. That being the reason for the new Statehood demand, the Government of Odisha should remain focused on inclusive growth of the State if at all it wants to come at par with advanced States of the nation, he stated.
Former General Manager of Rourkela Steel Plant KJD’s advisory council member Narayan Pati said the Western Odisha Development Council should be replaced by an elected body. He explained in length on the advantages of small States with example as to how Jharkhand witnessed a revolutionary change after having been carving out from Bihar.
Council member major Akshyaya Samal and Pitabas Mishra also spoke in favour of small State for better governance.
Gerenal Secretary Chakranta Jena and secretary Swarup Mishra led the rally. SasankaSekhar Panda was nominated chairman of the advisory council and Kamala Krushna Pradhan as president of Bonai sub-division. Surama Mishra was appointed spokesperson of the party. Several members were enrolled in the new party.