Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming that the party has been “exposed before the people of Odisha” over its stand on key issues, including the proposed delimitation exercise linked to parliamentary representation.
Patnaik made the remarks while addressing party leaders and through a statement posted on social media, intensifying the ongoing political confrontation between the BJD and the ruling BJP in the state. He accused the BJP of misleading the public and failing to protect Odisha’s political and developmental interests.
His comments come amid a heated national debate over the proposed delimitation exercise, which involves redrawing parliamentary constituencies based on population data. Several regional parties, including the BJD, have expressed concern that states like Odisha could lose representation in the Lok Sabha despite their contributions to national development and effective population control policies.
Patnaik argued that Odisha’s voice in Parliament must not be weakened and said that any reduction in seats would be “unacceptable and unfair.” He also alleged that BJP leaders, including MPs from Odisha, had not strongly defended the state’s interests in Parliament.
In a strongly worded message, the BJD chief said that the people of Odisha were now aware of what he described as the BJP’s “double standards” on federal issues. He reiterated that his party has consistently worked for Odisha’s rights, development, and social justice.
The BJP, however, has rejected such allegations in earlier responses, maintaining that the delimitation process is constitutional and aimed at ensuring fair representation across states. Party leaders have also accused the opposition of spreading unnecessary fear among people.
The issue has become a major political flashpoint in Odisha, with debates intensifying ahead of upcoming electoral and legislative developments. Political observers say the confrontation between the BJD and BJP is likely to deepen further as discussions on delimitation continue at the national level.
Meanwhile, Patnaik has urged all MPs from Odisha, regardless of party affiliation, to stand united in protecting the state’s interests and oppose any proposal that could reduce its representation in Parliament.
