News from Odisha

Ahead of the 2024 elections, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD)'s strategy targeting SHG women voters via Mission Shakti faced setbacks after ECI transferred Sujata Karthikeyan amid BJP's allegations that Sujata abused her power to secure votes for BJD.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticized the BJD government on the Odia asmita(identity) issue and alleged that there was a conspiracy to stall the 2020 Ratha Yatra.

Six-time Parliamentarian and BJP leader Mahtab filed his nomination for the Cuttack Lok Sabha seat.

Prime Minister Modi is coming to Odisha for the first time on May 6. It will be his first election programme in the state. He will address one public meeting each in Berhampur and Nabarangpur on Monday.

Following an ECI directive, Sujata Karthikeyan was transferred from the Mission Shakti and appointed as the Special Secretary of the Finance Department.

BJP National Vice President and Kendrapara Lok Sabha candidate, Baijayant Panda, underwent critical surgery on the left eye. He has postponed his campaign events for some days as he is now under medical observation.

In Banki, a green saree with conch patterns, allegedly symbolizing the BJD, was used to decorate the backdrop of Goddess Charchika, sparking controversy. Locals and servitors condemned such an incident.

Boudh recorded the highest temperature in Odisha at 44.6°C, severely impacting daily life. The IMD reports that 27 locations in Odisha surpassed 40°C, with seven exceeding 43°C. A yellow warning remains effective through May 5, indicating persistent heatwave conditions.

Besides demanding the closure of the NUA-O call centre along with other call centres of the Odisha government during the time of the election, the BJP also demanded stern actions against the erring persons involved in the matter.

Tension erupted at GK Bhattar CHC in Jaleswar, Balasore, after a patient died from alleged medical negligence. Relatives allegedly manhandled Dr. Dillip Patra, blaming him for the delay in treatment of the patient.

Due to strict enforcement and surveillance, around Rs 20 lakh was seized from a car during checking near Bhadrasahi under Barbil police limits in Keonjhar district on Friday.

The India Meteorological Department issued a yellow warning for imminent heatwave conditions in several districts of Odisha, expecting temperatures to fall by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius over the coming days. Sambalpur recorded the highest temperature at 42.5°C.

Rahul Gandhi, unable to attend a rally in Rayagada due to his nomination filing, spoke via virtual mode and promised farm loan waiver, job prioritization for graduates and diploma holders, and hiked wages under MGNREGA.

Ranjit Majhi was awarded the Shambhavi Puraskar for his efforts in implementing the Forest Rights Act and empowering villagers in Sundargarh. The event, organized by the Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation, also recognized Sasmita Mangaraj for her work in women's empowerment.

Anubhav Patnaik, after resigning from BJD, criticized the party for nominating Sabitri Pradhan, whose husband is allegedly involved in illegal ganja trade and a murder case. He filed his nomination as an independent candidate for the Khandapada Assembly seat, citing past injustices and lack of development work by previous candidates.