Bhubaneswar: Leaders of INDIA bloc parties in Odisha staged a torchlight vigil in Bhubaneswar, demanding the withdrawal of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, or MMDR Bill.
Leaders of the Congress, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation, Forward Bloc, NCP and Samajwadi Party gathered at Master Canteen Square on Monday and protested against the BJP’s 20 MPs from Odisha, accusing them of remaining silent during the recent passage of the MMDR Bill in Parliament.
The protesters also burnt effigies of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the BJP MPs as part of the demonstration.
Meanwhile, Odisha Steel and Mines Minister B B Jena defended the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state. He accused the INDIA bloc leaders and opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of misleading the people of Odisha over the issue.
