Winter session of Odisha assembly begins Friday, likey to be

The winter session of Odisha assembly beginning Friday is likely to be a stormy with the ruling BJD ready to raise the long standing demand for special category status to the state and the opposition the farmers' issue.

The winter session will have 23 working days and conclude on December 15.

It assumes significance as it will precede the 2019 general election and the state assembly poll in which the chief minister is likely to seek return to power for the fifth consecutive term.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is also the president of the ruling BJD, told reporters Thursday, "The ruling party will raise issues concerning Odisha's long standing demand for special category status and fuel price rise.

"We are ready to reply all the issues to be raised by the opposition," he said when asked.

The oppostion Congress and BJP have on the other hand decided to raise farmers issues as the main agenda in the assembly as the government prevented farmers to hold a convention in the state capital recently.

The farmers are demanding pension, prestige and hike in msp of paddy and other crops.

"We have a lot of issues concerning farmers, drought, Konark temple, unemployment, law and order and others," said Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress.

Patnaik had raised the issue of conservation and preservation of the famed Sun Temple at Konark with the union culture minister but nothing has been done in respect of it.

BJP MLA Pradip Purohit said the party will raise the issues of corruption, delay in the appointment of Lokayukta, rampant percentage commission, deteriorating law and order situation, violence against women and hooliganism by Biju Yuva Vahini members.

The state government had passed a bill four years ago for the appointment of Lokayukta and the President had given his consent to it in 2015. But no Lokayukta has been appointed in Odisha so far.

The Biju Yuva Vahini named after the state's former chief minister Biju Patnaik had been formed by the government for youth welfare and voluntary work during natural calamities. The opposition prties, however, allege that it is being used as goons by the ruling Biju Janata Dal.

The opposition has also been alleging that a percentage is paid to the ruling party by all contractors and companies who are allotted government work.