The state units of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Biju Janata Dal (BJD)-led dispensation, accusing it of launching 'Yuba Odisha Nabin Odisha' to woo youth voters.
After ‘Mo Odisha Nabin Odisha’, the ruling Biju Janata Dal has launched ‘Yuva Odisha Nabin Odisha’. Under this, the government is going to organise sports events across the state, in rural as well as urban areas. Cricket, football, volleyball, kabaddi and kho kho events will be organised in men's and women's categories with participants aged between 13 to 35 years. While the registration for the events has started, the dates of the competitions have not been announced as yet. But each winning team will be felicitated.
However, the state units of the BJP and Congress alleged that the BJD has launched this programme with a view to garner more votes.
“Prior to the 2019 elections, the Chief Minister had announced such a yojana. After the election, the yojana was forgotten,” alleged state BJP spokesperson, Dilip Mallick.
Senior Congress leader and Jatni MLA, Suresh Routray said, “Open spaces have been distributed through Idco. Where will they organise the events? For organising sports events, infrastructure is required. A bat or a ball is not enough.”
When asked, Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera said, “In villages, football, kabaddi, and kho kho games are generally organised. Winners in the block level and district level competitions will be felicitated.”
The sports critics also took potshots at the government for organising sports events without developing the required infrastructure.
“By distributing Cricket kits or football shoes, the ruling party will try to earn political benefits,” said sports critic K Ravi.