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BJD to block acting governor's budget address

The Biju Janata Dal today announced that it would oppose the customary budget speech of the governor in the coming session of the Orissa assembly scheduled to begin on February 22 if a permanent governor was not appointed by then.

BJD Political Affairs Committee Chairman Vijay Mohapatra told journalists in Bhubaneswar that the acting governor would not be allowed to address the customary budget speech and that a permanent governor would have to be appointed.

Andhra Pradesh Governor C Rangarajan is now in charge of Orissa after Governor Gopala Ramanujam went on long leave.

"He [Dr Rangarajan] is not our governor. Why should we listen to him," Mohapatra asked.

Mohapatra alleged that a conspiracy was hatched by Chief Minister J B Patnaik, in collusion with the Centre in not appointing, a permanent governor for the state.

The BJD leader said this was also an example of the Centre's apathy towards the state.

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