Bhubaneswar: With twin elections approaching in Odisha, the perceived bonhomie between the BJD leadership and top state BJP leaders seems to be gradually turning sour with both sides taking frequent potshots at each other.
After the biggest I-T raids raised the political temperature in the state last month, Saturday saw three Union ministers – Dharmendra Pradhan, Sadhi Niranjan Jyoti and Sarabananda Sonowal – firing salvoes at the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government while attending separate programmes in Bhubaneswar.
While Dharmendra slammed Odisha government for alleged irregularities in the recruitment of junior teachers, Sonowal accused it of being against its own people by not implementing the Ayushman Bharat Yojana in the state and Jyoti spoke about hijacking central schemes for political gain of the ruling BJD.
Speaking at ‘Shakti Bandana’ workshop organised here, Dharmendra said the state government is playing with the future of job aspirants by allowing corruption in the recruitment process. “Rules are not being followed in the ongoing recruitment of junior school teachers. People are protesting on the streets. There are media reports that e-admit cards have been issued in the names of some absurd persons like Mahal Manda. How people in the government, those who advocate for transparency in the system, will now react to the development?” he asked.
BJD organisational secretary Pranab Prakash Das, on a social media post, termed the Union Minister’s allegation as a self-goal as the recruitment is being carried out by Educational Consultants India Limited (EdCIL), a Central PSU under his Ministry. “What do you mean, did your own organisation screw up the hiring process?” he asked while replying to the charges.
Das further said EdCIL is conducting recruitment for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Kendriya Vidyalaya, AIIMS, Indian Navy and other agencies. “Is this organisation doing any irregularities there? By levelling such allegations without a proper understanding of the matter, you have reduced yourself to a laughing stock. It seems you have a role in creating this Mahal Manda,” he added.
The Dharmendra versus Pranab Prakash Das war of words has come amid speculation that both might lock horns in Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat.
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