Bhubaneswar: BJD president Naveen Patnaik lashed out at the BJP government in Odisha over price rise in the state as the regional party staged a massive protest over the issue in Bhubaneswar.
Coming down heavily on the state government, the former Chief Minister said that in the seven months of BJP rule in Odisha, people have only heard long speeches, but no action is being taken to control the price rise.
“This government claims to be a people’s government but it has no concern towards the well-being of the common citizens,” the BJD supremo said while addressing party leaders and workers at the protest site at Lower PMG in the capital city.
Claiming that prices of essential commodities like dal and oil, and medicines have skyrocketed, Naveen said the government has no control over the market. The BJP came to power by giving false promises to the people before the last elections, he alleged.
Thousands of BJD workers led by the party leaders gathered at the Lower PMG near Master Canteen and staged a demonstration against the price rise. Holding placards and banners, the protesters raised slogans against the BJP government.
Reacting to the BJD’s protest, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said the regional party is dramatising the issue of price rise. Prices of essential commodities, including pulses, edible oils, and vegetables, are lower in Odisha compared to other states, he claimed.
Taking a dig at Naveen Patnaik, Patra sought to know as to how many times the BJD chief had visited the fields in 24 years when he was CM.