Cong, BJD spar over development in tribal-dominated dist

Accusing the BJD regime of "not doing enough" to develop tribal-dominated Malkangiri district, the Congress today threatened to stop Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik from entering the region for inaugurating a newly built bridge on Gurupriya river.

The ruling party, however, refuted the allegation as "baseless" and said the grand old party is indulging in "dirty politics" with an eye on 2019 elections.

State Congress Working President and former MP Pradeep Majhi said he would launch an indefinite sit-in outside the Malkangiri Collectorate from July 9 in protest against the alleged indifference of the BJD government towards the people of the district.

The state government has been unsuccessful in its attempt to address the basic issues of the tribal people in the region, he alleged.

"Around 2,000 children of the district, who dropped out of school, are yet to go back. Despite repeated demands, the issue remains unresolved. Also, the government has stopped providing land patta here under Forest Rights Act," he said.

Referring to the case of a missing tribal student, the former MP said that the government has "failed" to trace him even after three years.

"The chief minister would not be allowed to visit the district to inaugurate the bridge under these circumstances," he added.

Hitting out at Congress working president, BJD leader and Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi said Pradeep Majhi was trying to "mislead" people.

The Congress is making baseless allegations as its support base has eroded in the district, he said