Bhubaneswar, 11 July (H.S.): Odisha's Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena on Friday claimed that political motives have become entangled in the ongoing strike by the Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangha, following the union’s appeal not to obstruct vehicles en route to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Save the Constitution’ rally in Bhubaneswar.

Taking to social media platform X, Minister Jena stated, “There is no need for further protests, as the government has already acknowledged and discussed implementing all the major demands of the drivers’ association in good faith.”

He further alleged that political interests have influenced the agitation, citing the union’s decision to postpone the strike by a day to coincide with the Congress rally scheduled for July 11. “Politics has clearly emerged in the protest, which is no longer solely about drivers' welfare,” Jena said.

The minister urged the union leadership to avoid misleading “innocent and honest” drivers in the name of the movement. “I appeal to my fellow drivers to withdraw from the protest,” he added.

The controversy intensified after the Odisha Congress on Thursday circulated a video message from Drivers’ Mahasangha president Prashant Menduli. In the video, Menduli urged drivers not to block vehicles carrying Congress supporters to Gandhi’s public meeting, signaling an apparent alignment with the opposition party.

The drivers’ union has been pressing for various demands, including social security measures, insurance coverage, and pension schemes for drivers, which they argue have seen limited progress despite prior assurances.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda