BJD has turned ‘Beef Janata Dal’ under a non-Odia officer-turned-politician: BJP

As the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) celebrates its 27th foundation day today, the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) threw some uncomfortable questions at the party leaders advising them to introspect.

“The party (BJD), which was founded on the principles of regionalism and Odia pride, is today running under the remote control of a non-Odia person. What kind of transformation is this? BJD's Odia leaders, and people's representatives are clapping in the meetings of that non-Odia officer-turned-politician. People's representatives are tying tents for that non-Odia person. What kind of self-respect is this,” questioned BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal in a Facebook post.

“Can any BJD leader truly say that they can meet the Chief Minister whenever they want or give an opinion to him on any issue or complain to him on some issue?” he asked.

“In its 23 years of rule, BJD and its leaders have become rich, but the Odia people have become poor. Odisha is at the bottom in the country today in all parameters of development including farmers' income, industrialisation, employment, tourism, infrastructure, school education, higher education and healthcare of children and women. Hope the BJD leaders will take this opportunity to honestly ponder upon these issues on their foundation day,” Biswal added.

Raking up the Kamiya Jani controversy, Biswal said, “The latest example of how the BJD has fared till now is the manner in which a false clarification video of the woman (Jani) was circulated on the social media accounts of all the BJD leaders about the entry of a blogger who eats beef, into the shrine. There are no doubts left to understand who is bigger for the BJD; Lord Jagannath or VK Pandian. Beef eaters or crores of Jagannath devotees?”

“Today, on the foundation day, the BJD has forced the common man to think whether that party has become the "Beef Janata Dal",” Biswal said.

However, the BJD refuted all the allegations. Speaking to reporters, BJD MLA, Debi Mishra said, “While all of Odisha can see the development why can’t BJP see it? Odisha is the first state to reduce poverty. Earlier, villages did not have roads. The BJD-led government has made all the difference in the State. Even the Central government and other agencies have praised Odisha for its developmental activities.”