Bhubaneswar: The Odisha unit of BJP today observed 'Lajja Diwas' as a mark of protest against government’s apathy towards deceased home guard Sandeep Hati.
The party also highlighted other issues like Gumudumuha firing, Nagada malnutrition deaths and Dana Majhi case. "All these incidents have exposed government's development claim. State’s inability to address such issues came to fore", BJP general secretary Prthiviraj Harichandan said.
"This programme is to aware people about the State government’s failure in many sectors. We will take the issue to village and panchayat levels", he added.
On the Polavaram issue protesting which ruling BJD today staged demonstration in front of Raj Bhawan, Harichandan said “BJD is enacting a street-play. All the activities of the ruling party like burning effigies, breaking earthen pots are only an eye wash".
The saffron party also launched a signature campaign through which it drew views from the public.
Party's senior leader Pratap Sarangi said, "Naveen has embarrassed the State a lot. While Odisha has been placed in number one spot in malnutrition in the whole country and in poverty it is in number two position. Besides, according to a recent government survey report, the State has been placed in 24th out of 26 States. The situation will continue till the party is in power in the State."
The party criticised CM Naveen Patnaik for not showing any sympathy towards other family of dead home guard Sandeep Hati. It held Patnaik responsible for the death of Hati and demanded an inquiry by an independent agency into the incident.
"It is very unfortunate that the cops who provide them security 24x7, he failed to save the life of one of them," he stated.
He continued: “The State government is conducting summits to attract investors in and outside the country. But the irony is that here legislators of the ruling party are seeking bribe to giving clearance to set up industries."
Sarangi targeted the ruling BJD in the Dana Majhi incident. He said, “When funds from foreign countries can reach Dana, the State government didn’t show its slightest gratitude towards the poor tribal.”
Party’s senior leader Biswabhusan Harichandan said, “Naveen Patnaik must feel ashamed that despite being in politics for last 20 years, he is yet to learn Odia. Nothing is more shameful than this.”
On the other hand BJD has criticised the saffron party for such a ‘publicity stunt.’
“The party should involve itself in the State’s issues. Instead of that it is busy picking up the baseless and trivial things which have no meaning,” BJD spokesperson Sashibhusan Behera said.