Congress Stages Intense Protest Against Alleged Misuse of Central Agencies by BJP

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee led a massive protest against the BJP-led central government, accusing it of misusing central agencies like the ED. Senior Congress leaders criticized the Modi government's actions as extortionary and undemocratic. In response, police managed the demonstration effectively, while BJP labeled the protest as a self-preservation tactic.

In a significant show of dissent, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) leaders, along with thousands of workers, attempted to 'gherao' the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office, protesting the alleged misuse of central agencies by the BJP-led central government.

Senior Congress leaders such as AICC Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar, Koraput MP Saptagiri Ulaka, Congress Legislature Party leader Ramchandra Kadam, MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati, and former Union Minister Srikant Jena spearheaded the demonstration.

The protest saw clashes between Congress members and the police as they marched towards the ED office, resulting in the temporary arrest of several Congress leaders. Ajoy Kumar accused the Modi administration of using the ED for 'extortion' and aiding select industrialists in dubious financial transactions.

Extensive security measures were in place, including the deployment of 12 platoons of force, as assured by Bhubaneswar DCP Prateek Singh. Despite the confrontations, police effectively contained the situation, detaining those who breached barricades.

On the other side, BJP spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra dismissed the protest as an attempt by Congress to protect its 'corrupt' leaders from facing legal actions by the ED.

(With inputs from agencies.)