An intense political battle has erupted in Odisha following sharp verbal exchanges between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Biju Janata Party (BJD) over former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s public support for arrested activists and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to the state on October 25.
Addressing a press conference at the state party headquarters on Thursday, Odisha BJP State Vice President Dr. Jatin Mohanty launched a direct attack on BJD President Naveen Patnaik. Dr. Mohanty questioned Patnaik’s recent social media post on X, in which the former Chief Minister criticized the arrest of CJP movement leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das and demanded their immediate release.
Dr. Mohanty accused the former Chief Minister of undermining the judicial and administrative machinery. “For 24 years, Naveen Babu maintained that ‘law will take its own course.’ Why this sudden change of heart now? By standing with forces that hoisted flags in restricted areas and promoted disorder, Patnaik has compromised his principles and ethics,” Dr. Mohanty stated.
He further linked the political developments to PM Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Odisha on October 25. PM Modi is scheduled to land in Bhubaneswar at 4 PM and proceed to Khordha/Jatani to inaugurate the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) new ₹170-crore Greenfield Data Centre—the second such facility in the country aimed at boosting cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.
“While PM Modi is working tirelessly to unite the country, empower youth, and turn Odisha into a tech hub, the BJD is aligning itself with elements attempting to cause division,” Dr. Mohanty added, noting that this will be PM Modi’s 9th visit to Odisha since the double-engine government was formed.
BJD Hits Back: “Patnaik’s Stand Vindicated by Release”
Responding strongly at a counter-press conference at Sankha Bhawan, BJD Media Coordinator Dr. Lenin Mohanty rejected the BJP’s allegations and defended Naveen Patnaik’s democratic stance.
Dr. Mohanty pointed out that both Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were released within 24 hours of Naveen Patnaik’s social media appeal, arguing that it validated the former Chief Minister’s commitment to individual liberty and justice.
“Naveen Patnaik demonstrated the courage of a true statesman by speaking up for individual rights and democratic principles. The release of the young leaders within 24 hours proves that his appeal resonated across the nation,” Dr. Mohanty said.
The BJD spokesperson also condemned recent personal comments made by BJP leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, regarding Patnaik’s age.
“Targeting an 80-year-old leader on his age reflects political intolerance and a distorted mindset. At 80, Shri Naveen Patnaik is only three years older than PM Narendra Modi and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat. Would the BJP accept similar comments about their own senior leaders?” Dr. Mohanty questioned. He alleged that the BJP was resorting to mudslinging to distract the public from its failure to fulfill pre-election promises.
