States » EastPosted at: Sep 29 2026 6:39PM


INDIA Bloc calls October 8 Odisha Bandh over mining law, education issues, poll irregularities

Bhubaneswar, Sep 29 (UNI) The Odisha INDIA Bloc on Tuesday called a statewide bandh on October 8, protesting the Centre’s mining policies and raising issues over alleged electoral irregularities, the education system and flood relief.
The bandh call was announced by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das at a mass rally in Bhubaneswar, where alliance leaders demanded repeal of the MMDR (Amendment) Act, 2026, and other Central mining laws.
The opposition parties alleged that the amended mining law undermines Odisha’s rights over its mineral resources and revenue, and said they would intensify their agitation against what they termed Central intervention in the state’s mineral and financial rights.
The INDIA Bloc also demanded a probe into alleged irregularities in the electoral process and electoral rolls and sought the dismissal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The alliance demanded the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, alleging mismanagement, teacher shortages and inadequate infrastructure in the state’s education system.
It also sought immediate relief for flood victims, including compensation for damaged houses, crops, property and livelihoods, besides food, essential commodities and rehabilitation support.
Addressing the rally, the leaders said the movement would be taken beyond the Assembly and intensified through street protests and mass mobilisation. They also criticised the reported early closure of the Assembly session, alleging that ending it 10 days ahead of schedule undermined democratic functioning.
Das appealed to workers, farmers, agricultural labourers, youth, students, women, Adivasis, Dalits, traders, intellectuals and other sections of society to participate in the October 8 bandh.
The Odisha INDIA Bloc comprises the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML) Liberation, Forward Bloc, NCP (Sharad Pawar), Samajwadi Party, RJD and JMM.
CPI state secretary Prashant Kumar Mishra, CPI(M) state secretary Suresh Chandra Panigrahy, CPI(ML) Liberation state secretary Yudhishthir Mahapatra, Forward Bloc state general secretary Jyoti Ranjan Mahapatra, NCP (Sharad Pawar) state president Bikram Swain, Samajwadi Party state president Shiv Hati Yadav and RJD state general secretary Hemant Kumar were among those who addressed the gathering.
UNI MK RSA
Tags: #INDIA Bloc calls October 8 Odisha Bandh over mining law# education issues# poll irregularities
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