Nuapada: BJD president Naveen Patnaik Monday accused the ruling BJP of “betrayal” and alleged that it was now indulging in “candidate chori” (stealing candidates) in connection with the upcoming Nuapada bypoll.
Addressing his first public meeting after recovering from illness, Patnaik hit the campaign trail to seek votes for BJD candidate Snehanini Chhuria in Nuapada’s Komna block.
“All of you know that the BJD has been betrayed; you and me have been betrayed. Those who indulged in ‘vote chori’ and formed the government have now started ‘candidate chori’. I know that all of you are hurt and angry over this betrayal,” Patnaik alleged.
The BJD chief’s remarks were aimed at late BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia’s son Jay Dholakia, who switched to the BJP ahead of the bypoll and is now contesting on a saffron party ticket.
The bypoll was necessitated following the death of Rajendra Dholakia September 8. Voting for the seat will be held November 11.
Urging people to give a befitting reply to those involved in “vote chori and candidate chori” and betrayal of trust, the former five-time chief minister appealed to voters to press the conch symbol — BJD’s election symbol — on polling day.
His remarks hold significance as the BJD has often been criticised for extending unconditional support to the Narendra Modi government at the Centre — including backing BJP nominee Ashwini Vaishnaw’s Rajya Sabha bids and supporting key bills in Parliament.
During his 10-minute address, Patnaik hit out at the BJP government in Odisha, calling it a “name changer” rather than a “game changer” administration.
“During the last 16 months, the BJP government has only focused on publicity, not development. They are heroes in propaganda but zero in work. Development activities across the state have come to a complete halt,” he alleged.
He said the BJD government had brought rapid development to Nuapada — from the Biju Expressway to irrigation coverage of over 10,000 hectares and expansion of drinking water facilities — but claimed that all progress had stalled under BJP rule.
“Law and order has collapsed, atrocities against women are rising, Mission Shakti mothers have not received salaries for eight months, farmers have been denied fertilisers during the sowing season, and the elderly are still awaiting their Rs 3,500 pensions promised by the BJP,” he said.
Questioning the BJP’s election pledges, Patnaik asked the crowd whether they were receiving 300 units of free electricity or the same health services earlier provided under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY).
The Nuapada seat is witnessing a triangular contest among the BJD, BJP and Congress.
While the BJD has fielded its women’s wing president and former minister Snehangini Chhuria, the BJP has nominated Jay Dholakia. The Congress has put up senior tribal leader Ghasiram Majhi, who was the runner-up in the 2024 assembly polls won by Rajendra Dholakia.
Reacting to Patnaik’s remarks, Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal said, “He is campaigning for his party candidate. I would like him to stay in Nuapada and continue campaigning till the end. He must answer the people about what development took place during the BJD’s 24-year rule. The people of Odisha have already made it clear whether his popularity has increased or declined.”
PTI
