BJD to Gherao Odisha Assembly on Sept 23 Over Panchayati Raj ‘Power Grab’

Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has announced a massive protest on September 23, vowing to gherao the Odisha Assembly over what it calls a systematic erosion of powers granted to elected representatives under the Panchayati Raj system.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, senior BJD leaders Debi Prasad Mishra, Pramila Mallik, and Arun Sahoo accused the state government of weakening democratic institutions by transferring power from grassroots representatives to bureaucrats, allegedly in violation of the Orissa Panchayat Samiti Act.

“The democratic foundation of the Panchayati Raj system is being dismantled. Officers are being empowered at the cost of elected representatives,” said Sahoo, warning that the move threatens local self-governance.

The BJD also alleged that developmental work in the state has stalled, and wherever work is undertaken, the government issues circulars aimed at appeasing BJP workers.

Thousands of Zilla Parishad chairpersons, block chairpersons, sarpanchs, and ward members are expected to join the protest at Bhubaneswar’s Lower PMG. BJD MLAs will also stage demonstrations inside the Assembly, intensifying pressure on the government.