Bhubaneswar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha on Sunday lashed out at BJD’s state organising secretary Pranab Prakash Das for his ‘ready to be a slave’ remark.
Addressing a presser in Bhubaneswar, State BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra said that the ruling party leader seemed keen to revive the abominable ‘slave/kritadas’ system that was in vogue during the British era. “Slavery was abolished in India in 1843 after prolonged fight. By broaching the topic again, he has exposed his feudal mindset and the attempt to take Odisha back to the British era,” he said.
After getting trolled on social media for “standing guard” at the Circuit House in Nabarangpur, where 5T secretary VK Pandian was holding public grievance meeting on Friday, Pranab on Saturday said he was ready to be a slave to serve the people of Odisha.
Mohapatra, however, sought clarification on whether the ‘slave’ remark was intended at administrative officers and saving his job.
The BJP leader also questioned Pranab for asking people to clear the path for the meeting, saying that the CMO was coming. “Who is the CMO? If 5T is a vision as claimed by the party then how can they address him as the CMO?” he asked, adding that the state had never seen elected representatives singing paeans to administrative officials as was the practice now.
Golak also asked as to why ministers were not touring different districts to take stock of development activities. “It seems the CM does not able ministers to take up this responsibility,” he added.
