The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has announced a major protest on September 23, declaring its intent to gherao the Odisha Legislative Assembly in response to what it calls the “systematic curtailment” of powers vested in elected representatives under the Panchayati Raj system.
At a press meet, senior BJD leaders Debi Mishra, Pramila Mallik, and Arun Sahoo expressed strong opposition to recent administrative decisions that they claim undermine the autonomy of grassroots leaders such as Zilla Parishad Chairpersons, Block Chairpersons, Sarpanches, and Ward Members.
The protest is expected to witness participation from thousands of Panchayati Raj representatives across the state, signaling a significant escalation in the party’s campaign to defend decentralized governance and the legacy of Biju Patnaik, who championed the empowerment of local bodies.
This move comes amid ongoing political tensions over the state government’s decision to shift Panchayati Raj Divas from March 5 (Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary) to April 24, a change that BJD leaders have labeled as an attempt to erase Biju Babu’s legacy.
