Bhubaneswar: Terming the Odisha bandh called by the INDIA Bloc as a historic success, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Bhakta Charan Das on Wednesday thanked the citizens and the media for their unprecedented cooperation.
“Thank you, Odisha for your steadfast support and solidarity in upholding democracy, people’s rights and Odisha’s interests. I sincerely regret any inconvenience caused to the people due to the Bandh and deeply appreciate your patience, understanding and support,” Odisha Congress wrote on X.
The bandh was observed as Black Day across the state to protest the alleged inhuman treatment meted out to senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other leaders by police in New Delhi.
The day witnessed high-voltage protests, with intense picketing, sloganeering and rallies in Bhubaneswar and other parts of the state. Tension escalated at Master Canteen Square when INDIA Bloc leaders and workers took out a joint march towards Lok Seva Bhawan. Police intervened midway, resulting in preventive detention of hundreds of workers, including OPCC chief Bhakta Charan Das and several senior leaders.
The INDIA Bloc said the bandh was organized to press for a four-point charter of demands which include immediate withdrawal of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026, fixing accountability for the government’s failure in flood disaster management, resignation of Minister Nityananda Gond, and dismissal of Gyanesh Kumar along with implementation of structural electoral reforms.
Addressing the media, Bhakta Charan Das said the bandh evoked wide response from district to panchayat level, which proves that the demands of the INDIA Bloc have resonated with the people. Warning of intensified agitation, he said massive protests will follow and ministers will be gheraoed. If the government does not respect democracy, the party knows how to make people’s voices heard, he added.
Taking a swipe at the Biju Janata Dal for claiming to have extended moral support to the bandh, Das said when BJD protests in future, Congress will put forth its stance, but it will not take a U-turn like the regional party.
