Congress to fight 2029 polls under the leadership of Bhakta Das: Lallu

Lallu addressing press at Nuapada in Odisha said,” As the national Congress in-charge for Odisha, I want to say that far from being removed, Congress in Odisha will contest the next 2029 general elections under the leadership of Bhakta Das".

Replying to query from media persons, Lallu stated that Ghasiram Majhi, the Congress candidate will definitely be the winner in Nuapada as he has been fighting for the cause of the people at the grassroots level for a long 30 years. 

He alleged that Nuapada is the most backward district in Odisha. It is also known as a tribal-dominated district. Fluoride-contaminated water is a major problem here.Owing to fluoride content, more than 50,000 people have fallen victim to fluorosis.

“In 2006, the UPA provided Forest Record Rights to tribals. From Nuapada, 45,000 people had applied for pattas, but till date, only 7,000 pattas have been issued”,he stated.

“Through the CRPF program, 846 gram sabhas had applied to the government. But only 46 gram sabhas received approval.There is no MSP on mahua flower, and tribals are forced to sell kendu leaves and other forest produce at very low prices”,the congress-in-charge said.

Dding, he said  both  BJD and BJP jointly ran the government for 9 years, and now BJD is operating under BJP's signals. “Whenever any bill comes in the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, BJD supports it. They are two sides of the same coin. When PCC President Bhakta Charan Das was the Lok Sabha member from this region, whatever major schemes were implemented...”,he added.

He ,”our tribal candidate is more popular than all other candidates. He is a fighting comrade who stands with the people.That is why BJP, out of fear, is resorting to the politics of intimidation. But the people of Nuapada have already decided to vote for Congress candidate Ghasiram.

Among others, former minister Jagannath Patnaik said due to the flawed NREGS policy of the BJP Modi government, an Adivasi named Nisha Mankadia died of starvation in Sukinda. A similar situation exists in Nuapada. Due to the government's violation of tribal rights, Adivasis are forced to endure the hardships of bonded labourer.

He said, “When our government was in power in Odisha, large-scale irrigation projects like Patora and Tikhali, electrification, and improved road construction works were all initiated. Tell us what major schemes the 25 years of BJD and BJP governments have done except freebies.

Among others  AICC spokesperson Dr. Hamid Hussain, Nuapada District Congress Media Coordinator Sudhir Mishra, and others were present at the press meet.