Bhubaneswar: Launching a sharp attack on the BJP-led Odisha government, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) spokesperson Lenin Mohanty on Sunday lashed out at Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari over his recent remarks regarding former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the state’s handling of flooding and waterlogging across the state.
Speaking at a press conference, the BJD spokesperson dismissed Pujari’s comments as little more than political theatre resembling stand-up comedy and urged the minister to concentrate on delivering tangible relief rather than engaging in rhetoric while people struggle with inundation. “You are failing to provide even the minimum dry food, let alone cooked food. The administration has become helpless, while the Chief Minister remains silent and the Revenue Minister talks about Lord Indra,” remarked.
The political row erupted after heavy downpours triggered by a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal left several coastal and northern districts, including Baleshwar, Bhadrak, and Jajpur, as well as major urban hubs like Raurkela and Bhubaneswar, struggling with severe waterlogging and localised flooding. Following social media posts by Naveen, criticising the state government for its handling of severe flooding in Raurkela and other areas, Pujari attributed the prolonged issue to inadequate drainage infrastructure and unchecked encroachments built up over the previous 24 years of BJD rule. “Are we really to blame when the rain god opens the skies? If Naveen Patnaik has Indra Dev on speed dial and can stop a downpour at will, the least he can do is share the phone number with us,” Pujari remarked, while praising the round-the-clock efforts of administrative officials, ODRAF, NDRF, Fire Services, Anganwadi and ASHA workers, and personnel from multiple departments operating under difficult conditions.
The Minister stressed the need for permanent solutions to drainage failures instead of repeated emergency responses.
Mohanty stated that anyone commenting on Naveen Patnaik’s governance needs to have a proper understanding of history and facts. “Naveen Patnaik himself never claimed it; the entire world acknowledged that Odisha became number one in disaster management under his leadership, as recognised by the United Nations,” he said, pointing out people from other states, including southern regions, sought Odisha’s expertise and assistance due to its benchmark response mechanisms.
Mohanty further slammed the government over its handling of farmer registration and paddy procurement. “Farmers are facing immense hardship, waiting through nights at the mandis while millers profit, yet the Minister offers no clarity or realistic resolution,” he said.
On the minister’s comments regarding land mutation services, Mohanty challenged Pujari’s understanding of revenue administration. “The process of automated mutation reaching people’s homes was initiated under Naveen Patnaik, but a minister lacking basic understanding of revenue matters cannot comprehend settlement and land laws,” he added.
The BJD spokesperson urged the state government to drop its arrogance and focus on ground-level relief work for the people. “…otherwise, the public will respond appropriately,” he warned.
