The Biju Janata Dal on Thursday accused the BJP-led Odisha government of failing to provide timely flood relief in Jajpur district and of discriminating against areas represented by opposition MLAs.
At a press conference at Sankha Bhawan, Binjharpur MLA and Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik, Bari MLA Biswa Ranjan Mallick and Jajpur MLA Sujata Sahu alleged that whatever little relief material was sent was distributed by local BJP leaders instead of the district administration.
They said Bari, Binjharpur and Jajpur assembly segments suffered heavy flood damage but received less attention because they are represented by BJD legislators.
Mallik said 26 days after the floods began, large parts of Jajpur remain waterlogged and people continue to face shortages. She alleged there was no prior preparedness, poor coordination among departments, and an unexplained delay in sending dry ration, cattle feed and other supplies after floodwater entered settlements.
She also said the Chief Minister toured Jajpur, travelled by boat and posed for photographs but did not address people’s hardships. When BJD MLAs tried to brief him, they were “humiliated,” she claimed.
Biswa Ranjan Mallick said both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister skipped Bari, the worst-affected area, during their visits. Relief trucks sent from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund reached the area but were not handed over to the district administration, he alleged. Later, some local BJP leaders distributed materials and posted photos on social media. Crop-loss assessment for farmers has still not been completed, he added.
Sujata Sahu said floodwater has entered Dasrathpur six times in 36 days and about 53,000 people remain surrounded by water. The government has failed to evacuate and shelter them properly, she said.
The BJD described the government’s approach as a “step-motherly policy” toward opposition-held areas.
