BJD protests special package to Seemandhra, cries neglect

At least 300 Biju Janata Dal (BJD) activists and leaders courted arrest here Monday to protest the central government's special treatment of Seemandhra while neglecting Odisha.

Accusing the central government of working on a political agenda, ruling BJD ctivists carried out a procession here, held a public meeting, and staged a demonstration near Raj Bhavan, and courted arrest.

"At least 300 BJD workers and leaders have courted arrest," Deputy Commissioner of Police Nitinjit Singh told IANS.

The central government last week granted special category status for five years to Seemandhra.

The BJD leaders said that Odisha has been demanding special category status for the past several years, but the central government did not pay heed to to it.

"The special category status it granted to Seemandhra is purely on political considerations," BJD legislator Sanjay Das Burma said.

The BJD will launch an indefinite "dharna" from Wednesday across the state.

Senior Congress leader Narsingha Mishra said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik should have called an all party meeting to discuss the issue instead of doing politics on the matter.