Naveen Patnaik Challenges BJP's Claims Ahead of Anniversary Celebration

BJD President Critiques BJP's Governance

Bhubaneswar: On Wednesday, Naveen Patnaik, the president of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), urged his party members to unveil the 'falsehoods' propagated by the ruling BJP in Odisha, which is set to mark the first year of its governance on June 20.

During a video conference with youth and student wing representatives, Patnaik, who also serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, emphasized the importance of informing the public about the BJP's misleading claims. He stated, "It is crucial for the people to understand how the BJP government has been undermining the developmental initiatives established by the previous BJD administration."

Patnaik, who held the position of chief minister from 2000 to 2024, virtually inaugurated an event in Puri, where he remarked, "For the past year, the BJP government has focused on altering the names and color schemes of various welfare programs initiated by our previous government."

He criticized the BJP for modifying the widely recognized health insurance program, Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, and replacing it with Ayushman Bharat, which he claimed has caused difficulties for patients seeking treatment.

Patnaik encouraged the youth and students to actively counter the BJP's misleading narratives.

Prominent BJD figures, including Debi Prasad Mishra, Sanjay Dasbarma, Pramila Mallick, and Arun Kumar Sahoo, were present at the gathering, where they collectively pointed out the shortcomings of both the state and central governments.

Mishra asserted, "The educational and employment opportunities that flourished during the BJD's tenure have been dismantled under the BJP's governance over the past year." He also mentioned that the 'Skilled in Odisha' initiative launched by Patnaik has seen no advancement under the current administration.

Pramila Mallick, BJD's senior vice president, accused the BJP government of allowing a perpetrator to evade justice due to his familial ties to a governor, referencing an incident involving the son of former Governor Raghubar Das.

She further claimed that tribal women are suffering from health issues due to consuming mango kernels and highlighted the alarming rate of sexual assaults on minor girls.