BJP press conference in Odisha: Allegations of negligence and control over CM Naveen

Bhubaneswar: Days after BJD leader V K Pandian pointed fingers at BJP for the Kandhamal riots, former Union minister and BJP leader Pratap Sarangi urged Odisha’s citizens to remove the current government, laying blame on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for the tragic demise of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.

Sarangi asserted that there was a deliberate effort to stoke conflict between two communities in Kandhamal by encroaching on their land, followed by unlawful conversions.

Accusing the government of negligence, Sarangi alleged a conspiracy behind Swami Laxmanananda’s murder, emphasizing the lack of adequate security measures despite known threats. He criticized the state Home Department, under CM Naveen Patnaik, for failing to disclose reports on the murder.

Joined by other BJP leaders, Sarangi launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJD during a press conference coinciding with the ongoing polling in the state.

Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi questioned the government’s decision to assign the Srimandir Parikrama Prakalpa project to ‘Bhoomi Putra,’ a South Indian firm lacking relevant expertise. She highlighted the removal of the firm’s project report from the website following BJP’s exposure of violations.

Aparajita further raised concerns about the disparity in power rates between Odisha and Tamil Nadu, urging transparency and accountability from the government.

BJP leader Baijayant Panda expressed dismay over CM Naveen Patnaik’s perceived loss of autonomy, citing circulated AI-generated and Deepfake videos. He lamented the alleged control over the CM, contrasting it with his earlier independent demeanor.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan questioned the government’s claims of efficiency, pointing to migration from Ganjam district to Surat. He criticized BJD’s attempts to discredit him and emphasized BJP’s commitment to Odisha’s development under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership.

BJP Odisha unit president Manmohan Samal dismissed BJD’s criticisms of the Prime Minister as signs of desperation, expressing confidence in BJP’s electoral prospects in the state.