Bhubaneswar: Mounting a scathing attack on Odisha’s BJP government over the death of two women in mango kernel incident in Kandhamal district, BJD on Wednesday demanded the resignation and arrest of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra for the tragedy.
Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, BJD spokesperson Lekhashri Samantasinghar claimed that members of eight families in Kandhamal’s Daringbadi area were forced to consumer gruel made of mango kernel as they were not provided with PDS rice.
As a result, eight persons fell ill after consuming mango kernel gruel and subsequently two women died, while two others are still battling for life in hospital, she said.
Stating that the incident has tarnished the image of Odisha, the BJD leader said it is unfortunate for such an incident to take place in 2024.
“Death due to starvation is not acceptable in a state where BJP claims to be running a double-engine government,” she said, accusing the saffron party of having come to power by making false promises to the people ahead of the last elections.
Claiming that starvation had become a thing of the past in Odisha during the previous BJD government, she said failure to provide the poor people with PDS rice was nothing but criminal negligence.
While Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi belongs to tribal community, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram also happens to be a tribal from Odisha, she said, adding that President Droupadi Murmu also belongs to a tribal community.
The BJD leader alleged that BJP has put tribal leaders in important positions to give an impression that it’s focus on the empowerment of tribals. However, tribal people consuming mango kernel gruel has exposed the falsehood of BJP, she claimed.
Seeking to know as to how PDS rice could not reach the people, Samantasinghar claimed that Food Supplies Minister Patra has failed to discharge his duty. Therefore, the Miniter should tender his resignation for criminal negligence and steps must be taken for his arrest over the death of people, the BJD leader said.