BJP to support Odisha shutdown for farmers' cause

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday said it would extend support to Odisha shutdown call given by farmers' outfit Nava Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) on February 21.

State BJP President Basant Panda said the saffron party will give support to NNKS, which has been demanding pension and proper price to the agricultural produce.

"The farmers have the right to express their opinion and protest in a democracy. The state government has time and again tried to throttle the voice of the farmers. We will protest the anti-farmer policies," said Panda.

The NNKS has called for a statewide bandh on February 21 to protect the interest of farmers.

The outfit has been demanding price, prestige and pension for the farmers in the state. They demand a security allowance of Rs 5,000 per month for the farmers of the state.

It has also sought cooperation from truck and bus associations urging them to keep their vehicles off the road during the bandh.

"We have requested political parties, traders' associations and the bus and truck owners' associations to support our cause and make the bandh successful," said NNKS convener Akshaya Kumar.

--IANS

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