Bhubaneswar: Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jayanarayan Mishra’s remark about the formation of Odisha triggered a controversy in the state.
Speaking at the event organised for the disbursement of second instalment of Subhadra Yojana in Sambalpur, the former Minister stated that the merger of Koshal region during the formation of Odisha was a historic blunder.
Stating that Odisha was formed with the merger of Utkal, Koshal and Kalinga regions, the Sambalpur MLA said Utkal essentially refers to Cuttack, Puri, and Balasore areas. Regions like Koshal and Kalinga have been neglected and exploited, while Utkal received due recognition, the BJP leader alleged.
“The people of Sambalpur should remember that Odisha as a separate state was formed following the integration of Utkal, Koshal and Kalinga regions. Utkal region comprises only Cuttack, Puri and Balasore. It is not proper to hail only Utkal and forget Kosal and Kalinga regions,” he said.
The BJP leader’s remarks came following the recital of ‘Bande Utkal Janani’, the state song of Odisha, at the event.
Mishra further claimed the people of Sambalpur and Koshal are being exploited all along since the integration of the region with Odisha. “We have been exploited in every sphere … mining, agriculture, forest and service. We have been denied our cultural rights. The integration of Koshal with Odisha was a historic blunder,” the ex-Minister said.
It may be recalled that the firebrand BJP leader had recently stirred a controversy by alleging that he was sidelined in the party.
