Congress activists demonstrate in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 6: The Congress today hit the streets all across the state to protest against the failure of Naveen Patnaik government to address the problems of common people.

The Biju Janata Dal was, however, quick to counter the Congress charge.

A 56-member delegation comprising BJD MLAs and ministers marched to the Raj Bhavan and submitted a memorandum to governor S.C. Jamir. The memorandum addressed to President Pranab Mukherjee spoke about Centre’s apathy towards Odisha.

However, Pradesh Congress Committee chief Jaydev Jena described his party’s programme as a success.

“The state government is busy in beating its own drum. But the reality is that the flood–hit people have not yet received any assistance and are struggling for survival,” he said.

Addressing public rallies at Hatdiha and Anandpur in Keonjhar district, he highlighted the state government’s failures.

Jena also raised the issue of poor law and order in the state. “BJD leaders were behind the murder of the 28-year-old school teacher, Itishree Pradahan,” he alleged.

In its memorandum, the BJD urged Mukherjee to direct the Centre to release funds for restoration and renovation of infrastructure in the state’s cyclone and flood hit areas.

“The government of India is constitutionally duty bound to come to the rescue of people in Odisha. Unless central assistance is immediately sanctioned, the state shall not be able to take up reconstruction and restoration work. The economy of the state will be shattered,” the BJD said in the memorandum.

Panchayati Raj minister Kalapataru Das said: “The economy of the people in 18 districts has been ruined because of the twin calamities. Though we have submitted memoranda seeking assistance, not a single pie has been sent so far. No Union minister, except Srikant Jena is from Odisha, has visited the state.”

Revenue minister Surjya Narayan Patro said: “While the Centre had released funds for Uttarkahand, Odisha has not received a single rupee ever after 25 days. Though the chief minister has requested the Centre to grant an advance of Rs 1000 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), not a paisa was released so far.”

BJD Youth Wing president Sanjay Dasburma said: “We will take the issue to the people. A two-hour peaceful demonstration will be organised on Thursday in the headquarters of 18 districts and outside central government offices located there.”