Differences have cropped up between allies Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and BJP over a statewide bandh planned on September 19 to oppose the privatisation of blue-chip public sector undertaking National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco).The BJD has decided to stage a demonstration in front of the state BJP headquarters if the party does not oppose the privatisation move. ‘‘We will persuade the BJP to support the bandh call given by the BJD and others opposing Nalco privatisation,’’ Panchayati Raj Minister Damodar Rout and Health Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadei told a news conference here. If the BJP does not agree, demonstrations will also be organised in front its office, they added.Alleging that the decision to privatise Nalco is against the interests of the state, Rout said the Centre has ditched the BJD on the issue. While the decision to privatise the two oil companies, HPCL and BPCL, had been deferred for three months, there is no reason why the privatisation of Nalco cannot be stayed, he asked.Announcing that the BJD would take steps to make the bandh a success, Rout said all party MPs, MLAs and office-bearers at the state, district and block levels have been asked to support it. The ministers, however, parried a question on whether the BJD would withdraw from the NDA at the Centre if the BJP did not support the bandh call.Rout announced that rail rokos will be organised, central government offices will be shut down and bus operators will be asked to keep vehicles off road. He said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will lead an all-party delegation to Delhi if the Centre does not change its decision.
