MP Balabhadra Majhi accuses Odisha CM Naveen of 'fooling' tribals

Bhubaneswar: A day after joining the BJP, Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi today hit out at the ruling-BJD alleging that tribals were neglected in the last 19 years of Naveen Patnaik rule in Odisha.

Majhi alleged that the State government formed the Special Tribal Council only to fool people. The very purpose of the council is lost. "I was immensely hurt seeing the way people of the tribal areas were neglected by the Naveen government,” said Majhi while addressing a presser here at the party headquarters.

He further said, "I had never asked for an MP ticket (while in BJD). Naveen Patnaik takes final decision regarding allotment of tickets but there should be a selection procedure where the party MPs and MLAs must get a chance to present their views. I felt like being stabbed and that’s the reason why I quit the party."

Responding to the allegations of the Nabarangpur MP, BJD leader Ramesh Majhi said that developmental works have been carried out in the tribal dominated areas in the State. "It's not right to make such baseless allegations. People will give a befitting reply to him (Balabhadra Majhi) in the upcoming elections," he said.