Bhubaneswar: Estranged BJD leader and former Kendrapara Lok Sabha member Baijayant Jay Panda on Sunday extended support to the agitation launched by farmers under the aegis of Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) demanding price, prestige and pension.

Joining the farmers’ mega rally near Phulnakhara-Pahala Road, Mr Panda condemned the attempts being made by the Odisha government to “throttle” the voices of farmers.

“Thousands of farmers from across the state are staging a peaceful agitation and the way attempts are being made by the administration to obstruct them is not justified. Besides, various goonda vahinis are also creating a nuisance and there is a possibility of reaction the way farmers are being provoked,” said Mr Panda while appealing to the Odisha government not to obstruct the farmers.