BJD launch stir against Polavaram project, CJCJ joins in

Bhubaneswar, Sep 20 (PTI) The anti-Polavaram projectstir got new impetus today with the Chhattisgarh JanataCongress (Jogi) joining hands with Odisha’s ruling BJD whichheld simultaneous demonstrations in seven southern districtsof the state demanding a halt to the construction. The BJD workers held demonstrations in front of theCollectors’ office at Kandhamal, Ganjam, Rayagada, Gajapati,Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur. While BJD Spokesperson Rabi Narayan Nanda led thedemonstrations in Koraput, state Transport Minister RameshMajhi and senior leader Bhupinder Singh led the show inNabarangpur. Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister SanjayDas Burma and Rajya Sabha MP N Bhaskar Rao led the campaign inRayagada, senior spokesperson Surya Narayan Patro and MPSidhant Mohapatra led the campaign in Ganjam. The party has announced to carry out strikes acrossthe seven districts from October 1. Meanwhile, the CJCJ under the leadership of Amit Jogiand Dharamjit Singh today undertook a ‘bus yatra’ fromJagdalpur in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh to Malkangiri inOdisha, to protest against the construction of the proposedPolavaram project in Andhra Pradesh. The CJCJ leaders joined the BJD protest rally onPolavaram near Malkangiri Collector’s office, along withOdisha Urban Development minister Pushpendra Singhdeo andMalkangiri MLA Manas Madkami. "We have first joined Telangana Rashtra Samithi andnow Biju Janata Dal. The CHCJ is working towards unifyingregional forces and rise to protect the interests of allstates in the region," Jogi said. Son of Chhattisgarh’s first Chief Minister Ajit Jogiand Marwahi MLA Amit Jogi has been on the forefront to protestthe Polavaram project that would have an adverse affect on thelives of endangered tribal lives in Bastar region. "Whether in Bastar or in Odisha, the land whereinnocent tribal people’s live is equivalent to his mother,"Jogi said. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress questioned theintention of the demonstrations. "I wonder why the government has not applied for a stayorder from the Supreme Court yet. The Supreme Court won’tbe a silent spectator if at all the project affects theinterests of the state and violates laws and theConstitution," Leader of Opposition in Odisha AssemblyNarasingha Mishra said. "This means, the state government is not interested toprotect the interests of the state," he added. PTI AAM SUSASV