TNI Bureau: Under public pressure, the BJP has decided to keep Nuakhai – festival of western Odisha – out of Bharat Bandh, which will be observed on September 20. Hence, the festive mood of people will not be affected due to the nationwide shutdown on Thursday.

The party has called for a nationwide shut down against Centre’s decision on diesel price hike and FDI in retail for September 20, on the day Nuakhai will be celebrated in western Odisha.

However, the party was in dilemma about the decision as they did not want to spoil the festive mood of people of Odisha on that day. Therefore, the saffron party on Monday decided to keep the festival out of Bandh.

All the public transport, medicine stores, shops related to the festival would not be affected due to Bandh, the party made it clear today. However, the bandh will be observed rest of the regions in Odisha.

The BJP will try to observe the bandh successfully in a peaceful manner across the state excluding western part.

The decision is a huge relief for the western Odisha people, who were in notion that they will not be able to celebrate Nuakhai this year due to nationwide bandh on September 20.