States » EastPosted at: Oct 22 2026 8:50PM


BJP’s personal attacks on Naveen Patnaik unfortunate, says BJD

Bhubaneswar, Oct 22 (UNI) The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has strongly criticised Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and other senior BJP leaders over their remarks concerning the age of former Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik.
The regional party said political differences should never be used to justify personal attacks or disrespect towards senior leaders who have devoted decades to public service.
Addressing the media in Bhubaneswar, BJD media coordinator Lenin Mohanty described the remarks made by Parida and other BJP leaders as unfortunate, alleging that they reflected political intolerance rather than constructive democratic debate.
Mohanty alleged that instead of acknowledging its shortcomings and addressing the problems faced by the people of Odisha, the BJP was resorting to personal attacks and inappropriate remarks against senior political leaders.
He maintained that differences of opinion are an integral part of democracy, but criticism should focus on policies, governance and public issues rather than an individual's age.
Mohanty also referred to a recent social media post by Naveen Patnaik concerning the judicial custody of Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das.
According to the BJD spokesperson, Patnaik had called for a review of their judicial custody and demanded their immediate release, stressing the importance of justice and the protection of individual rights.
Mohanty said both young leaders were released within 24 hours of Patnaik's post. He cited the development as an indication of the significance of the issue raised by the BJD president and the public concern surrounding the matter.
He asserted that Patnaik's intervention reflected his commitment to justice, democratic values and individual rights.
Mohanty further said that remarks concerning the age of a senior political leader were unbecoming of individuals holding responsible public offices.He emphasised that leaders who had dedicated decades of their lives to public service deserved respect, irrespective of their political affiliations or differences.
Repeatedly targeting a leader on the basis of age, he added, was neither a sign of political maturity nor conducive to a healthy democratic culture.
Raising questions about the BJP's position, Mohanty asked whether the party would consider similar remarks appropriate if the BJD questioned the ages of the Prime Minister or the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The BJD media coordinator further alleged that the BJP government in Odisha was increasingly engaging in political mudslinging because it had failed to fulfil the promises made to the people before the elections.
He said the people of Odisha had voted for the BJP with expectations of change, effective governance, greater economic opportunities and the fulfilment of its electoral commitments.
However, Mohanty alleged that the state government had failed to meet public expectations across various sectors.
The BJD urged the BJP government to shift its focus from personal attacks and political rhetoric to governance and public welfare.
UNI DP
Tags: #BJP’s personal attacks on Naveen Patnaik unfortunate# says BJD
More News

Meghalaya govt brief stakeholders to address concerns over Shillong Peak Ropeway Project

22 Oct 2026 | 10:41 PM

Shillong, Oct 22 (UNI) Meghalaya government officials, under the Department of Tourism, today held a stakeholders’ meeting on the proposed Shillong Peak Ropeway Project, implemented through the Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority (MRDA), to clarify concerns and explain the project’s objectives and benefits.

see more..

Tripura police team in Delhi for transit remand for arrested content creator Amir Shokeen

22 Oct 2026 | 9:58 PM

Agartala, Oct 22 (UNI) Following the arrest of Amir Shokeen, a social media content creator, over alleged racial slurs hurled at a young tribal man from Tripura, a police team from Tripura, with DSP Headquarters Samudra Debbarma at the helm, has traveled to Delhi this evening to secure Amir's transit remand to Agartala.

see more..

Meghalaya investing in infrastructure and upscaling of economic livelihoods, says CM Sangma

22 Oct 2026 | 9:45 PM

Jengjal, Oct 22 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Thursday said his government with concerted efforts is making investments in infrastructure, while also focusing on scaling up the economic livelihood of people through different interventions.

see more..

Manipur: CM highlights role of self-help groups

22 Oct 2026 | 9:42 PM

Imphal, Oct 22 (UNI) Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh today highlighted the role of self-help groups and skill development initiatives in strengthening rural livelihoods, empowering women and creating employment opportunities for the youth at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) 2.0, organised by the Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM) at the Main Conference Hall, Manipur Secretariat, Mantripukhri, Imphal.

see more..

Chorbagan stampede: Idol immersion allowed, pandal must remain intact, says SIT chief

22 Oct 2026 | 9:42 PM

Kolkata, Oct 22 (UNI) Retired Justice Anindita Roy Saraswati, head of the special investigation team (SIT) probing the Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede, on Thursday said the idol could be immersed but the pandal must be preserved in its existing condition to facilitate the investigation.

see more..