Bhubaneswar: Odisha Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena has urged drivers to call off their strike, stating that further protests are unnecessary since the government has already engaged in discussions with the drivers to address their demands.
In a tweet, Jena, however, expressed concern that the drivers’ decision to suspend their protest for a day to allow vehicles to participate in Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Bhubaneswar has politicised the movement.
The Transport Minister, taking to his X handle, stated, “The government has already discussed and is seriously considering the demands, rendering further agitation unnecessary. However, the decision to relax the protest for a Congress programme indicates political influence at play, misleading innocent drivers.”
The Transport Minister’s statement came after Driver Mahasangha president Prasant Menduli on Thursday appealed to all striking drivers to refrain from preventing Congress vehicles on roads across the state, ensuring their smooth passage. The Mahasangha had assured that they would not stop any Congress vehicles heading to the rally.
In return, Bhakta Charan Das assured the drivers of the Mahasangha’s support for their movement at the block and district levels.
