The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today launched a fierce counter-attack on BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahatab, accusing him of making “politically motivated and misleading” remarks against party president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
At a press conference held at Sankha Bhawan, BJD Senior Vice President Debi Prasad Mishra and Vice President & Senior Media Coordinator Pratap Jena strongly condemned Mahatab’s statements and demanded that he immediately withdraw his remarks and issue an unconditional public apology.
“Patnaik only appealed for democratic dialogue”
The BJD leaders clarified that Naveen Patnaik had merely urged the government to resolve the ongoing student agitation in Delhi through peaceful democratic dialogue instead of resorting to brutal police action. Any attempt to distort this appeal, they said, was highly condemnable.
“Instead of addressing the genuine concerns of lakhs of students across the country who are demanding reforms in the examination system, it is extremely unfortunate that a senior MP like Bhartruhari Mahatab chose to target Shri Naveen Patnaik,” Debi Prasad Mishra said.
He added that Patnaik had strongly condemned the “inhuman police action” against students who were peacefully protesting in the national capital to highlight their grievances over repeated examination irregularities and paper leaks.
99 paper leaks in 14 years, 6.5 crore students affected
Mishra highlighted the scale of the crisis, stating that nearly 99 examination paper leaks have occurred across the country in the last 14 years, affecting more than 6.5 crore students. He accused the government of remaining silent on students’ legitimate demands, allowing resentment to build up among the youth.
Branding peaceful student protesters as “anti-national” or “agents of Pakistan and China” was completely unacceptable, he said. “When the government fails to manage the education system properly, the concerned minister must accept moral responsibility and resign,” Mishra asserted.
“From praise to political attack”
Pratap Jena pointed out that Bhartruhari Mahatab had represented the people as an MP seven times — including six terms as a BJD MP — during which he had repeatedly praised Naveen Patnaik’s leadership. However, after switching to the BJP, he was now making “politically motivated remarks” against him.
Jena said Patnaik has always stood firmly for democratic values and consistently raised his voice for the welfare of students and youth. His statement was not politically motivated but a sincere appeal to the government to listen to students and resolve issues through dialogue.
“Instead of expressing concern over this critical national issue of repeated paper leaks that are pushing students’ futures into darkness, Mahatab has chosen to divert attention by attacking Naveen Patnaik,” Jena remarked.
Demand for apology
The BJD leaders described Mahatab’s remarks as “extremely unfortunate and unbecoming of an elected representative.” They demanded that he immediately withdraw his comments against Naveen Patnaik and tender an unconditional public apology for his “misleading and irresponsible statements.”
The BJD press conference comes hours after Odisha BJP MPs in New Delhi had strongly criticised Patnaik’s comments on the student protests and examination system.
BJP Odisha MPs Condemn Naveen’s Remarks on Exam Paper Leaks, Accuse BJD of Double Standards
