The deteriorating law and order situation in Odisha, rising atrocities against women, farmers taking to the streets for their rights, and a bleak future for the unemployed youth have highlighted the state government’s failure to fulfill its responsibilities. In response, the Congress Legislative Party has geared up to convert this widespread discontent into a powerful weapon during the monsoon session of the Assembly, set to begin on Thursday. In a meeting of the Congress MLAs, a decision was taken to bring a no-confidence motion against the ruling government.
Congress Legislative Party leader Ramchandra Kadam, addressing the media after the meeting, stated that the no-confidence motion will prioritise critical issues such as law and order, unemployment, women’s safety, farmers’ problems, education, water supply, and the protection of Dalits and tribals. “Incidents of women’s harassment, murders, rapes, and gang rapes in places like Balasore, Gopalpur, and Brahmagiri have brought shame to the state. Additionally, the recovery of traffic constable Shubhamitra Sahoo’s body from the Keonjhar forest has sparked widespread outrage across Odisha. We strongly condemn this,” said the Congress leader.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das, who attended the meeting, remarked that displacement in the name of industrialisation is on the rise, along with numerous other issues. Despite the Chief Minister also holding the Home Minister portfolio, the government’s seriousness is lacking. “Congress has repeatedly condemned these failures, but no changes have been seen. Therefore, we have decided to bring the no-confidence motion,” he clarified.
Other topics discussed in the meeting included fertiliser shortages leading to farmers buying it at double the price, the burdens on farmers during paddy harvesting and threshing, non-payment of insurance money, corruption and neglect in the education sector, student union elections, and cholera outbreaks in 11 districts due to water scarcity. The government has lost credibility in all sectors, prompting the decision to move the no-confidence motion in the Assembly.
