Bhubaneswar, Aug 18: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has accused the Odisha government and the BJP-led Centre of neglecting farmers’ issues amid ongoing protests in Bargarh on Monday.
Senior leader Prasanna Acharya alleged that farmers are being forced to agitate for basic rights like timely fertilizer supply, fair procurement, quick payments, and an end to black marketing. He also questioned the Election Commission’s neutrality, calling it “politically biased.”
Former minister Pratap Jena blamed the “double-engine government” for failing farmers over the last 14 months, citing fertilizer shortages, delayed procurement, and deductions despite the BJP’s promises. He recalled that under Naveen Patnaik, Odisha had prioritized agriculture and won multiple national awards.
The BJD has submitted a memorandum to the President seeking intervention and pledged to continue protests until farmers’ demands are met. Jena also dismissed voter list controversies as distractions from the agrarian crisis.
