Bhubaneswar, Oct. 8 -- INDIA bloc on Thursday observed a statewide bandh in Odisha, demanding withdrawal of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act, 2026, and the resignation of the state's Education Minister Nityanand Gond and the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Gyanesh Kumar.

Senior Congress leader Suresh Kumar Routray said the primary demand was the restoration of Odisha's mining property rights to the state.

"Our number one demand is that the mining property rights belonging to Odisha, worth lakhs of crores, be restored to the state. Secondly, Gyanesh Kumar must resign and be arrested for his wrongdoing; he has betrayed the people and caused a massive collapse of interests affecting crores of v...