In a significant political development, 15 chairpersons from various municipal councils in Odisha met former Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik at the party’s office on Saturday.
Led by former minister Pratap Jena under the banner of the Odisha State Municipal Council Federation, the delegation expressed strong opposition to the state government’s recent administrative directives, which they claim severely curtail the powers of elected representatives.
The meeting focused on the challenges faced by the chairpersons in executing development and welfare projects due to these new guidelines issued by the Urban Development Department. According to the delegation, the directives have shrunk their authority, making it difficult to meet the aspirations of local residents. They highlighted how the changes empower executive officers at the expense of democratically elected officials, potentially for political gains.
Naveen Patnaik, who now serves as the Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, voiced his disapproval of the government’s move. He criticised the decision to reduce the powers of elected municipal representatives through administrative orders, calling it an undemocratic attempt to undermine local governance. Despite the adverse circumstances, Patnaik advised the chairpersons to remain connected with the people and continue their public service efforts unabated.
The controversy stems from a government letter dated January 5, 2026, which includes provisions such as increasing the financial powers of executive officers to Rs 3 lakh, allowing procurement without competitive bidding, and permitting the issuance of checks up to Rs 10 lakh without countersignatures. The chairpersons argue that these measures centralise control and erode the autonomy of elected bodies, leading to widespread resentment among local leaders.
This meeting underscores growing tensions between the ruling administration and opposition figures over governance reforms in urban local bodies. As Odisha’s urban areas continue to expand, such disputes could impact grassroots-level development and electoral dynamics in the state.
