Bhubaneswar: The Opposition BJD and ruling BJP indulged in war of words on X over a communal unrest incident reported in the State during the last few months.
Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik criticized the BJP government in a post on X while BJP has given a buffeted reply this morning.
Shri Patnaik said four incidents of communal unrest during the initial three months of the new BJP government have tainted the state’s image. Reacting strongly, the ruling BJP alleged Patnaik’s statement was intended to provoke more violence and create havoc.
“Four incidents of communal unrest in a span of three months under the BJP government has adversely impacted Odisha’s image as a peaceful state. First, in Balasore, then in Khurda, Dhamnagar and Bhadrak, the communal unrests have raised questions about the efficiency of the state government,” he said.
Peace and harmony is the identity of Odisha and all should work together to maintain this, the BJD chief stated.
Naveen Patnaik himself was the Chief Minister of the state for 24 consecutive years. He should first answer who was the Chief Minister of Odisha during the Kandhamal riots?, asked the BJP in a post on X.
“Who was the Chief Minister of the state during the riots in Bhadrak during Ram Navami in 2017?,” the ruling party asked.
“Odisha recorded the third highest communal riots in the country in 2017, revealed NCRB report. The state with 91 communal/ religious riots finished third after Bihar and Karnataka. Who was in government at that time?” it said.
“Which party was ruling the state during the stone pelting and riots that took place during Hanuman Jayanti in Sambalpur in 2021? Naveen Babu, who had spread unrest in Odisha for 24 years, is now giving communal statements for his party’s interest,” wrote the BJP in a tweet.