Congress ends 24-hr dharma near CM's residence, vows to take fight for SEBC quota to villages

OPPOSITION Congress on Friday ended its 24-hour dharna near Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's residence demanding 27 per cent reservation in education and jobs for Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBCs) in the state.

- PBD BUREAU/PTI

However, the party vowed to take the fight for enhanced quota for the SEBCs, or as OBCs are categorised in Odisha, to the villages.

The party staged a peaceful dharna on the Mahatma Gandhi Marg here opposing the state's BJP government's announcement of 11.25 per cent of quota for SEBC students in higher education. The 24-hour dharna began at 11 am on Thursday and ended at 11 am on Friday.

The party also strongly condemned the government for not extending the SEBC quota to medical, engineering and technical courses in the state.

"I would like to thank all the Congress workers who staged an overnight dharna amid heavy downpour. We have decided to fight till the end for the protection of the interests of the people belonging to SEBC category, who comprise 54 per cent of the state's population.