BJP national President J.P. Nadda heavily criticized Odisha’s Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for surrendering the state to a bureaucrat. Speaking at a Garib Kalyan Samavesh rally in Bhawanipatna, Nadda questioned if politicians or bureaucrats were ruling the state. He accused Patnaik of allowing a bureaucrat to have more power than elected officials by not listening to MLAs and MPs. Nadda also accused the BJD government of engaging in massive corruption, which he claimed was taking 50% of every job.
Nadda implied that Odisha deserves better, highlighting that it ranks low in per capita income and farmer income even after 23 years under the BJD government. The BJP President reminded the people of Patnaik’s promises, such as establishing a cold storage in each block and providing 35% block irrigation facilities, none of which had been fulfilled. Nadda promised to investigate corruption allegations in the selection of beneficiaries for the PM Abas Yojana and hold the culprits accountable.
Nadda urged the people of Odisha to reject the current government in favour of the BJP and the double-engine government. He called Patnaik’s government a government of commission and asked if they wanted a bureaucrat to rule their state. Nadda criticized the Chief Minister for completely surrendering the state to bureaucracy, creating an Officers raj in Odisha.
The BJP President’s criticism is a reminder of the challenges faced by the BJD government as it prepares for the assembly elections next year. The party has ruled Odisha for 23 years but may find its position challenged by BJP’s rising popularity in the state.
