The INDIA bloc has called a statewide bandh in Odisha on October 8 over three demands, including the repeal of the Mines and Minerals Amendment Act, 2026. State Congress president Bhakta Charan Das announced the shutdown on September 29, according to IANS.

The demands are the repeal of the MMDR Amendment Act, the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond over reported textbook errors, and the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral roll irregularities.

The bloc says the central mining law dilutes Odisha’s control over its mineral reserves and cuts state revenues. CPI(M) state secretary Suresh Panigrahy said the alliance wants to protect the state’s mineral rights and financial autonomy.

Parties backing the bandh include the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML) Liberation, Forward Bloc, NCP-Sharad Pawar, Samajwadi Party and RJD. They held a ‘Parivartan Rally’ in Bhubaneswar on September 29. Das said transport and commercial activity across the state would halt on October 8.