The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today launched a sharp critique of the BJP-led Odisha government’s economic performance, claiming the state is experiencing a “reverse direction” in growth despite the much-promoted “Double Engine” governance model.
In a press release issued from Bhubaneswar, BJD spokesperson and Media Coordinator Dr. Lenin Mohanty highlighted that under the previous BJD administration, Odisha achieved a peak **Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP)** growth of 16% in 2022-23, with a solid 9.6% in its final full year. In contrast, he stated that the BJP’s first year saw growth drop to 7.2%, followed by a slight uptick to 7.9% in the second year—still falling short of the BJD-era benchmark.
Mohanty argued that this slowdown has caused Odisha to lose ground compared to neighboring states like Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and West Bengal, which are reportedly posting GSDP growth rates of 14-16%. He accused the BJP of failing to leverage the state’s resources and strategic location for job creation and investment.
The BJD also pointed to fiscal concerns, alleging that in just two budgets under BJP rule, the state’s debt has surged by **Rs. 91,000 crore**. It claimed the fiscal deficit has widened from 1.7% to 3.5% of GSDP, and the primary deficit has risen from 1.1% to 2.9%, risking long-term financial instability while sectors like agriculture and health suffer from poor implementation.
National rankings were cited as further evidence of decline: Odisha’s position in NITI Aayog’s Export Index fell from 11th in 2022 to 15th in 2024, and its National Startup Ranking dropped from 6th in 2022 to 20th in 2025, according to the release.
The BJD urged the BJP government to shift focus to “people-centric policies” and restore the inclusive growth trajectory seen during its tenure.
