[Watch] Odisha Cong Seeks Audit Of Expenditure On PM Modi’s Birthday Events; BJP Reacts

Bhubaneswar: Mounting a scathing attack on the BJP government in Odisha over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday celebrations, Congress claimed that turning the occasion into an ‘official programme’ was an insult to democracy.

Demanding that the expenditure borne on events organised on Modi’s birthday be audited and made public, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das said the celebration was an unacceptable misuse of the state machinery.

There should be a detailed audit of alleged public funds spent on celebrations and publicity campaigns organised to mark Modi’s 76th birthday on Thursday, he said.

Noting that a democratic government should not turn itself into a publicity agency for any individual, the Congress leader said while common people were struggling to make a living, the government had chosen to indulge in unprecedented self-promotion.

Describing birthday as a personal and private moment, the PCC chief said turning it into a government festival with taxpayers’ money is a direct insult to the democracy of the country. Taxpayers’ money was being “misutilised” for publicity centred on an individual, he alleged.

“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.

“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,” Das said in a post on X.

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. pic.twitter.com/QivHZyatqM

— Bhakta Charan Das (@BhaktaCharanDas) September 16, 2026

The PCC chief alleged that hundreds of crores of rupees from the public exchequer were being spent on statewide advertising campaigns, hoardings, sponsored exhibitions and promotional events.

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,” he said.

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 added.