Opposition BJD counters Odisha govt’s achievements with BJP set to complete 1 year in power

Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the Opposition party in Odisha, launched a public awareness campaign 'Jan Jagaran Abhiyan' on Tuesday, criticising the BJP-led government in the State as it marks its first anniversary in office.

Also Read: Odisha BJP plans state-wide outreach as Mohan Majhi-govt marks 1 year in office

During an event at Sankha Bhawan, BJD supremo and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik has accused the ruling Mohan Majhi-government of focusing more on propaganda than tangible development.

“Development cannot be achieved solely through speeches and advertisements,” Patnaik asserted, challenging the Government's approach.

BJD focuses on BSKY versus Ayushman Bharat scheme

Naveen Patnaik further criticised the State government’s health initiatives, comparing Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) unfavourably to the national Ayushman Bharat scheme.

“Bharatiya Janata Party has completed a year of assuming governance in Odisha. They are propagating that it is a people’s government, but where are the people?” the BJD chief questioned.

“No one was previously being denied health services with the health cards provided under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana. People are facing difficulties since the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. It is not possible now to get medical treatment without money. Thousands of people are facing difficulties,” Naveen Patnaik stated.

“The State’s health infrastructure has completely collapsed,” the BJD supremo added.

Reacting to this, BJP state president Manmohan Samal said, “Let them (BJD) give accounts of what they have done in the past 15 years in Odisha. Then only we will feel happy. We have assumed governance for just a year.”

“As an Opposition party, where else they would go instead of going to people? The people will decide after coming to know what we have done in a year and what they have done in 15 years,” Manmohan Samal added.

Worth mentioning, the BJP state unit held a key meeting of the party MLAs at its headquarters in Bhubaneswar on Monday to mark the first anniversary of its government in Odisha.

Led by state president Manmohan Samal, the legislators discussed strategies to promote the government’s achievements across Odisha and finalise future plans.

During the meeting, it was decided that the Government's achievements over the past year would be highlighted and communicated to people at the grassroots level, aiming to build stronger public engagement and awareness.

The legislators were directed to ensure that development initiatives are made visible and relatable to the general public.

Reported By: Jagdish Das, Swati Jena