Bhubaneswar: A fierce political war of words erupted between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha again on Thursday, sparked by the arrest and subsequent release of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-conveners Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das in New Delhi.
The Flashpoint: Jantar Mantar Protests and Naveen’s Appeal
The controversy centres around Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, who were arrested on October 14 following a demonstration at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The duo were protesting against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
After the activists faced extended judicial custody over alleged peace bond breaches for hoisting the national flag in a restricted area, BJD President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik took to social media on October 20. He argued that the prolonged detention of young leaders over a flag-hoisting incident violated individual liberty and required immediate review.
BJP’s Counter-Attack: Accusations of Double Standards
The ruling BJP accused the former Chief Minister of undermining the judicial process and administrative machinery.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office, party state vice-president Jatin Mohanty claimed that Naveen’s remarks amounted to pressuring the administration and advising the court. Pointing out that Naveen had famously maintained for 24 years that “the law will take its own course,” Jatin Mohanty questioned the sudden shift: “If he had faith in the judiciary and administration earlier, why this sudden change of heart?”
He criticised Naveen’s post as a reflection of a “bankrupt mindset” and accused the BJD of aligning with forces attempting to divide the country.
Adding to the pressure, the BJP Yuva Morcha (BJYM) hit back on X, highlighting what it called the BJD’s double standards. BJYM pointed out that Naveen had remained silent when its former state president, Irasis Acharya, and 21 BJYM workers spent 54 days in jail in 2023 for protesting the murder of former minister Naba Das, asking: “Where was this sudden concern for constitutional rights then?”
BJD Fires Back: Defending Leadership and Targeting Governance Failures
During a separate press conference at Sankha Bhawan, BJD media coordinator Lenin Mohanty slammed the ruling party for resorting to personal attacks, political intolerance, and “age-based mud-slinging”, calling these tactics a distraction from governance failures and unfulfilled campaign promises.
Highlighting the impact of Naveen’s intervention, Mohanty noted that within 24 hours of his public appeal, both leaders were released, fully vindicating the BJD supremo’s commitment to democratic values and civil liberties. “Naveen babu demonstrated the courage and conviction of a true statesman by speaking out in the public interest. Millions across India rallied behind the former Chief Minister’s appeal, recognising the urgent need to protect the freedom and personal liberty of young leaders. The fact that both leaders were released within 24 hours underscores the profound impact and importance of the issue raised by the BJD president,” he claimed.
The BJD leader also denounced critical remarks reportedly made by senior Odisha BJP leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, over the BJD chief’s age. “Political disagreements should never degrade into personal disrespect,” he said, emphasising that leaders who have dedicated decades to public service deserve dignity.
Pointing out the hypocrisy of the attacks, the BJD leader noted that the 80-year-old Naveen is only three years older than Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, questioning whether the BJP would ever tolerate similar age-based vitriol directed at its own top brass.
Concluding the briefing, the BJD exhorted the ruling BJP to rise above partisan politics and dedicate its efforts to addressing public grievances and keeping its electoral commitments.