Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Congress Thursday demanded a detailed audit of alleged public funds spent on celebrations and publicity campaigns organised to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das alleged that taxpayers’ money was being “misutilised” for publicity centred on an individual and demanded transparency from the state government.
“The party has called for the immediate public disclosure of a detailed audit report regarding the actual amount of public funds spent on these celebrations and publicity campaigns,” Das said, adding that the Congress would intensify its campaign against what it described as the government’s “mismanagement and misplaced” priorities.
In a post on X, Das said, “Forcing people to light lamps for the PM’s birthday undermines democratic values. A lamp is a symbol of faith, not compulsion. Amid unemployment, distressed farmers, women’s safety issues and challenges in education, people’s welfare must come before celebration and publicity.”
Rejecting the allegations, Odisha BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal said the Congress’ statement reflected its “political frustration” over Modi’s public connect and popularity.
“Modi’s birthday is not merely a personal celebration. For millions of people, it is an occasion to express their goodwill and blessings for a leader who has dedicated decades of his life to public service and nation-building. His commitment to development, self-reliance, social welfare and a stronger India has created a direct connection with people across the country,” Biswal said.
He said the ‘Ashirwad Ka Diya’ initiative was an expression of public affection and goodwill towards Modi.
“Congress should respect the democratic right of citizens and party workers to celebrate and convey their blessings rather than finding political controversy in every public programme,” Biswal said.
Das reiterated his allegations and criticised the government-organised celebrations, calling them an “unacceptable misuse of the state machinery”.
He alleged that the BJP government was spending public money on publicity while people were facing unemployment, inflation and an agrarian crisis.
“At a time when the common people are struggling to make ends meet, the government has chosen to indulge in unprecedented self-promotion. A birthday is a personal and private occasion; turning it into a government-sponsored event funded by taxpayers’ money is a direct affront to the country’s democracy,” Das said.
Das also alleged that hundreds of crores of rupees from the public exchequer were being spent on statewide advertising campaigns, hoardings, sponsored exhibitions and promotional events.
“Every rupee spent on this lavish event comes from the pockets of India’s taxpayers. Instead of promoting self-aggrandising publicity, these funds should be utilised for public healthcare, education, or infrastructure development. Such use of national resources reflects completely misplaced priorities,” he said.
Das further claimed that former prime ministers, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, had not used government machinery or the public exchequer to celebrate their birthdays while in office.
“Our former prime ministers dedicated their lives to building national institutions rather than cultivating a personal brand. They celebrated their birthdays with simplicity and often dedicated the day to public service, children, or the nation; they did not spend even a single penny from the public exchequer. What we witness today is an authoritarian departure from democratic decorum,” Das said.
