Bhubaneswar is bracing for a fiery Odisha Assembly budget session starting February 17, where the Congress party is set to launch a multi-pronged attack on the state government. In a strategic huddle at the assembly premises, Congress legislators mapped out their playbook to spotlight pressing public grievances.
OPCC chief Bhakt Charan Das, who joined the meeting, declared that as a responsible opposition, Congress will hold the government accountable for its failures. The party plans to grill the administration on a slew of issues, from alleged farmer exploitation to industrial pollution and displacement.
Key flashpoints include the unresolved Mahanadi water dispute, demands for free electricity for farmers and tax relief for consumers, women’s safety concerns, youth unemployment, land patta scams for Dalits and tribals, and unfulfilled pre-poll promises. Das emphasized Congress’s commitment to voicing the people’s mandate in the house.
The meeting saw participation from Congress Legislature Party leader Ramchandra Kadam, Odisha Congress co-incharge Jetti Kusum Kumar, and all party MLAs. Meanwhile, the opposition BJP faces heat from both BJD and Congress, particularly over paddy procurement chaos.
BJD supremo and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has instructed his MLAs to hammer home farmer woes and deteriorating law and order. A bipartisan all-party meet chaired by Speaker Surama Padhi on Monday ensured smooth session proceedings.
The session kicks off with the Governor’s address, followed by a two-day debate. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Finance Minister will unveil the state budget on February 20. This sixth session of the 17th Assembly runs in two phases till April 8, featuring 28 working days.