Opposition parties in Odisha have stepped up their pressure over the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act 2026 with INDIA Bloc on Tuesday (September 29, 2026) calling for Odisha Bandh on October 8.

The announcement for Bandh came amidst massive demonstration staged by Congress, all Left parties and other constituents of INDIA Bloc in front of Odisha Legislative Assembly here.

“The Bandh will be observed on demand for scrapping of the MMDR Amendment Act, dismissal Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, resignation of Odisha School and Mass Education Minister Nityanand Gond, and immediate relief for flood victims,” said Suresh Panigrahy, Secretary of CPI (M).

Giving the call for bandh on October 8, 2026 at demonstration, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Bhakta Charan Das said, “Odisha has the first right on mineral deposits and Centre cannot snatch the right MMDR (Amendment) Act, 2026. The Act is an assault on Odisha’s financial sovereignty. INDIA Block would continue to protest until MMDR (Amendment) Act, 2026 is completely repealed.”

Mr. Panigrahy said Odisha’s mineral bearing land are mostly inhabited by tribals and Centre cannot take complete control of those land in order to benefit miners and industrialists.

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INDIA Bloc leaders also demanded an investigation into the serious allegations of irregularities relating to the electoral process and electoral rolls and called for the dismissal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

They demanded that accountability be ensured in this matter in order to protect the impartiality, transparency and public confidence of the electoral system.

The issue which has been resonating in the State was hundreds of mistakes in school textbooks for students from Class-I to Class VIII.

“Mr. Gond must resign from his post for the chaos and mismanagement in Odisha’s education system. There is a conspiracy to weaken government education system. Shortages of teachers and lack of essential infrastructure, and the State Government’s neglect of the educational rights of students are reasons behind students turning away from government schools,” said Congress leader Jayev Jena.

The INDIA Bloc’s movement in Odisha includes the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML) Liberation, Forward Bloc, NCP–Sharad Pawar, Samajwadi Party, RJD and JMM. (EOM)