The BJD launched a massive signature drive here demanding special category State status to Odisha. Attending a party meeting as an observer here on Sunday, BJD vice-president and Health Minister Dr Damodar Rout alleged that the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre had been ignoring all the genuine demands of the State.
Dr Rout said a memorandum will be submitted to the President of India in this connection, containing one crore signature of the Odias.
Speaking on the occasion, former MlA and State Housing Corporation Chairman Saroj Samal said that Congress has totally forgotten the sanctity of federalism.
Presiding over the meeting, Parjang MlA Dr Nrusingha Charan Sahu came down heavily on the UPA Government for not raising the royalty of iron ore, coal and manganese. Dr Sahu assured to collect at least three lakh signatures only from Dhenkanal district.
Among others, Sadar MlA Nabin Nanda, Hindol MlA Anjali Behera, Kamakhyanagar MlA Prafulla Mallick, State Construction labour Board Chairman Jogendra Nath Tripathy, Zilla Parisad Chairperson Binodini Samal and BJD leader Indramani Behera spoke. Interestingly, local MP Tathagat Satpathy had skipped the meeting.