Bhubaneswar, Jan 27: The Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) has called for a state-wide bandh in Odisha on Wednesday, protesting alleged irregularities in paddy procurement.

The bandh, scheduled from 6 AM to 2 PM, has drawn support from several political parties, including the Congress, CPI, and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sharply criticised the move.

The NNKS, along with its student and youth wings, has demanded that farmers be paid a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs3,100 per quintal, inclusive of input subsidies. The organisation has also sought timely payment to cultivators after procurement, removal of irregularities in token and mandi systems, and resolution of issues related to pollution certificates and Tata Power’s operations in the state.

Congress leaders, including former PCC president Jayadev Jena, have extended full support, describing the agitation as essential to safeguard farmers’ rights. CPI has also backed the bandh, while BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty welcomed the initiative indirectly, acknowledging the concerns of cultivators.

The ruling BJP, however, dismissed the protest as “fake farmers’ agitation,” with party spokesperson Manoj Mahapatra alleging that NNKS leaders lack real farming experience and accusing Congress of riding on the shoulders of the organisation to remain politically relevant.

Akshay Kumar, founder and national convener of NNKS, reiterated that the bandh is aimed at ensuring justice for farmers who continue to face systemic hurdles in selling their produce. “Our demands are not political; they are about survival and dignity of farmers,” he said.

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As the bandh approaches, political blame games have intensified, with accusations and counter-accusations dominating the discourse. The success of the bandh will depend on the extent of public participation and the response from farmers across districts.

With procurement season underway, the protest has placed the spotlight firmly on Odisha’s agrarian challenges and the political contestations surrounding them.