States » EastPosted at: Oct 5 2026 12:59PM


Naveen condemns attack on former MLA Balabantaray, questions ‘goondaraj’ in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Oct 5 (UNI) BJD supremo and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has strongly condemned the alleged attack on former Dharmasala MLA and party leader Pranab Kumar Balabantaray in Jajpur district and questioned whether the rule of law or “goondaraj” was prevailing in Odisha.
In a post on X, Patnaik said the alleged attack on Balabantaray at Madhupurgarh under Jenapur police station during the BJD’s Jan Sampark Padyatra was “utterly condemnable”.
“Deadly attacks are being carried out on public representatives in broad daylight, the police are silent, the government is silent—is goondaraj reigning in Odisha?” he asked.
Patnaik alleged that public representatives were being attacked even in the presence of police personnel and questioned who was giving criminals the “audacity” to carry out such attacks.
“Attacks are taking place as if to kill public representatives in the presence of police. Who is giving this audacity to criminals? Is the rule of law or the rule of goons prevailing in Odisha? In this government, public representatives are insecure, and the safety of ordinary people is in jeopardy,” he said.
He alleged that similar incidents were occurring repeatedly in Dharmasala and other parts of the state, but claimed that the government had failed to take firm and exemplary action against those responsible.
“What does the government want? For peaceful Odisha to turn turbulent? Why is the government condoning such criminal acts? Why are exemplary actions not being taken?” Patnaik asked.
The BJD president said the people of Odisha were watching the developments and keeping an account of such incidents.
“They will give a fitting response to such anarchy, such misrule,” he said.
The remarks came a day after Balabantaray allegedly came under attack along with his supporters during the BJD’s Jan Sampark Padyatra at Madhupurgarh in Jajpur district. Balabantaray escaped unhurt, while his vehicle was damaged in the incident.
Balabantaray subsequently lodged a complaint with the Jajpur Superintendent of Police, alleging that the attack was carried out by supporters of Dharmasala MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahu. Sahu has denied the allegation and said the police should investigate the incident and identify those responsible.
Jajpur SP Yashpratap Shrimal said all those involved would be arrested and that security had been tightened in the area.
UNI DP
Tags: #Naveen condemns attack on former MLA Balabantaray# questions ‘goondaraj’ in Odisha
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