Odisha govt should do what we did: LoP Naveen Patnaik on crop loss; BJP hits back

The Odisha government should provide help to the affected farmers immediately like what we did in my government, said Leader of Opposition (LoP) and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday after meeting the affected farmers in Jagatsinghpur district. 

Patnaik visited Jagatsinghpur district to meet farmers grappling with crop damage. This visit followed his earlier stop in Puri’s Satyabadi constituency, where he conducted inspections of damaged farmlands and engaged in discussions with local farmers about the extent of their losses.

During the visit to the Chandahura village near Balikuda block in Jagatsinghpur, Patnaik assessed the situation first-hand and spoke with several farmers from various panchayats of the block. This interaction highlighted the challenges being faced by the agrarian community after recent unseasonal rains had impacted agriculture adversely.

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“As you know, I was in Ganjam district yesterday to see the crop damage and meet the farmers. Today, I visited Puri district and now I am here in Jagatsinghpur. I have just been to the family of the young farmer who committed suicide. As you know, there have been a number of farmer suicides in recent dates; the government must rush help to them immediately. This is what we did in the time of my government,” said Patnaik. 

In Puri’s Satyabadi area, there was a notable reaction as onlookers breached security barriers to witness Naveen’s arrival by helicopter. People were eager to catch a glimpse of the leader as his helicopter landed. 

The BJP alleged he is visiting the affected areas only to save himself as the BJD’s bastion is crumbling. 

“We are all aware of how Naveen was fighting. He should introspect about what he did for the farmers in 24 years. Speaking such things would have been justifiable if he had done something for them. Giving statements will never solve the problems. He is speaking today to protect himself as his citadel is crumbling,” said BJP MP Sukant Panigrahi.

(Reported by Manas Kanungo)