Congress activists stage silent dharna

Berhampur (Orissa), Feb 14 (PTI) While Congress MLAsin Orissa boycotted governor''s address opposing BJDgovernment''s "failure" in all fronts, the party activists herestaged a silent dharna demanding resignation of chiefminister Naveen Patnaik.

A number of Congress workers sit on the day-longdharna near Gandhi statue here by covering of their mouthswith the black clothes. Ganjam is the home district of thechief minister.

"Since our voice is not heard to the government, wechose to protest in this unique way� said Ganjam districtCongress Committee president, Bhagaban Ganatayat. Members ofthe party''s women, student, youth and farmers� wings alsoparticipated in the agitation.

Stating that corruption is plenty in the state,Gantayat pointed out that dal scam came following multi-croremining and coal scams. �

Due to irregularities in the purchase of pulses formid-day meal and supplementary nutrition programme, the schoolchildren and pregnant women across the state were forced toconsume contaminated, sub-standard and adulterated dal,alleged party''s town unit president Sanjay Panigrahi.�

The Congress activists alleged several children andwomen were exposed to heath hazards due to the consumption ofthe sub-standard and contaminated dal.

"When the corruption was rampant during this regime,the government has no moral right to continue in office," saidthe district Congress�s women wing leader Sanghamitra Dalai.