BJP MP from Bhubaneswar, Aparajita Sarangi, has strongly criticized the Congress and BJD over the statewide bandh called in response to the tragic self-immolation and death of a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan College in Balasore.
Addressing a press conference, Sarangi accused both parties of shedding “crocodile tears” despite having ruled Odisha for decades. “The BJD ruled for 24 years under one Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, and the Congress was in power for 40 years. During their regimes, countless crimes against women occurred. Did either the CM or the President ever visit the victims?” she questioned.
She added that Congress and BJD leaders, including those who arrived from Delhi, were trying to disturb the atmosphere in the state. “They failed to build a safe ecosystem for women during their tenure. Now they are resorting to blame games and trying to stay relevant through disruptive actions,” Sarangi said.
Without naming her directly, Sarangi appeared to target Congress leader Alka Lamba, saying, “A woman leader has come all the way from Delhi just to stir unrest. Neither Congress nor BJD has the moral authority to speak on women’s safety.”
Responding to the opposition’s agitation, she said, “They are doing this only to protect their existence, to stay in the news. If they had conducted even a basic self-assessment before taking to the streets, it would’ve served better.”
Regarding the unfortunate Balasore incident, Sarangi stated, “We are deeply saddened and shocked. What happened should not have happened. But the Odisha government under CM Mohan Charan Majhi has taken the most appropriate and timely steps under the circumstances.”
She also cited viral social media posts to claim that opposition workers were harassing the victim’s family. “The people of Odisha are watching and condemning such behavior,” she said.
