The Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) constituted in 1999 has failed to meet the aspirations of people. The nominated body is often accused of being a rehabilitation centre for election losers of the ruling BJD, alleged KJD president Baidyanath Mishra.

Miahra said the Government must revisit the WODC Act and bring in reforms to change the status of the council comprising members of elected representatives.

Presiding over the State executive meeting of the party at Rourkela on December 8, Mishra said the members must seek people’s mandate instead of being nominated.

Similarly, Mishra demanded that the KBK scheme which was conceived as an aftermath of the acute poverty in Kalahandi district should have its head office in Bhawanipatna.

The KJD also demanded that the head office of the WODC be shifted to a place in western Odisha, preferably to Rourkela.

Members reposed confidence in the team under whose guidance the Kosal Mukti Rath is rolling down from October 2 covering all districts of western Odisha. The members however opined that the pace of running the caravan has to be expeditious in view of the election which is fast approaching.

The executive body decided to hold a Press conference in Bhubaneswar on December 19. It also decided to send a five-member delegation to New Delhi and submit a fresh memorandum to Home Minister Rajnath Singh on formation of Kosal State.

Regarding the call given by the Kosal State Coordination Committee for a Mahabandh of western Odisha on  December 17, the members had a positive response to the call but with a ‘silent support’ to the Bandh.

KJD vice-president Sanat Kumar Pradhan and general secretary Chakranta Jena were appointed election in-charge for Rourkela and Deogarh constituency, respectively.

Among others, secretary Swarup Mishra, treasurer Lalatendu Choudhury, spokesperson Dr Surama Mishra, Ranjan Kumar Lenka, Saroj Parida and Suvendu Mohanty were present.