Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Supremo and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik today launched a scathing attack on the one-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Odisha, accusing it of widespread “misrule” and a failure to deliver on its promises to the common man.
Addressing party leaders at Shankha Bhawan, Shri Patnaik highlighted significant breakdowns in healthcare, women’s empowerment, and agriculture, while also raising concerns about the state’s financial health.
Shri Patnaik opened his address by emphasizing the democratic principle that “the common man is the master,” stating that the BJD, now in opposition by the people’s mandate, is acting as a responsible watchdog. He sharply questioned the BJP’s claim of being a “people’s government,” asserting that “long speeches and big advertisements do not bring development.”
The former Chief Minister was particularly critical of the state of Odisha’s healthcare system. He claimed that the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), which benefited 90% of the population under his government, has been effectively undermined. “Today, Ayushman Bharat has been started. People are not getting medicine. They cannot get treatment in hospitals without money,” Shri Patnaik stated, highlighting the plight of “thousands of people, mothers, old people, cancer patients, and children” who are reportedly being harassed. He pointed to a stark statistic: “Out of 30 Districts, CDMO post is vacant in 19 Districts. This is the success of the present Government.”
Shri Patnaik also expressed deep concern over the alleged weakening of the Mission Shakti movement, a flagship women’s empowerment program initiated by the BJD. He claimed that “Seventy lakh mothers were empowered by Mission Shakti” during his tenure, and now, “this government’s success is to weaken the Mission Shakti Movement in one year.” He cited instances of “mothers being harassed in banks” and “not getting work in government offices,” leading to a shattering of their self-confidence. “Mothers who went to Dubai and Singapore are sitting at home today and are frustrated,” he lamented, warning that “Mothers will never forgive this.”
Addressing the agrarian sector, Shri Patnaik reminded the BJP of its election promises to stop the “harvest strike” and ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all farmers. “Tell me, has the harvest strike been stopped? Farmers are now at the mercy of Miller. The government has no fear. Who will the farmers appeal to?” he questioned. He further alleged that “Farmers are harassed in getting agricultural loans” and that the current government has “stopped the ongoing work” despite record irrigation achievements under the BJD.
Shri Patnaik also drew a stark contrast between the financial health of the state under his leadership and the current BJP government. He revealed that when the BJD took over in 2000, Odisha’s loan burden was Rs 18,000 crores, and the government was running on overdraft. “When we left the responsibility in 2024, the Government Treasury had a surplus of 45 thousand crores. But now the government is running on a record amount of loans,” he asserted, suggesting fiscal irresponsibility.
He concluded by highlighting the significant reduction in poverty during the BJD’s rule, from 63.83% in 2005-06 to 11.07% in 2023, lifting over 102 lakh people above the poverty line, along with visible improvements in various development indicators. Reaffirming the BJD’s commitment to the people, Shri Patnaik urged party leaders and workers to continue their service for the welfare and progress of Odisha.