Nuapada bypoll campaigning: Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai slams Naveen Patnaik for ‘not learning Odia in 24 years’

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai launched a sharp attack on Odisha’s Leader of Opposition (LoP) and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik on Thursday while campaigning for BJP candidate Jay Dholakia in Panchampur under Nuapada district.

Also Read: Issues take backseat as war of words intensifies in Nuapada bypoll campaign

Addressing a public gathering, Sai accused Patnaik of failing to learn Odia even after 24 years in power.

Seeking votes for the BJP candidate, Chhattisgarh CM compared the long rules of Congress and BJD, saying, “Congress ruled for 50 years and BJD for 24 years. You have seen both their governance. Now, you are also seeing how the BJP government works. Our party is the world’s largest political organisation.”

Sai further criticised dynastic politics, stating that while both Congress and BJD have failed to rise above family dominance, “only the BJP is free from such traditions.”

“I will speak to you (the local voters) in Chhattisgarhi language. However, your former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik remained in power for 24 years but could not learn Odia and was unable to utter anything in this language,” the Chhattisgarh CM said.

“Mostly, the Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha elections are held together in your state. I had the opportunity to campaign during the last General Elections,” Sai stated.

“MP Malvika Singh is present here on the stage. She is a daughter from Himachal Pradesh and she had got married in Odisha. She learnt Odia to manage her family, but your former Chief Minister could not learn Odia to manage the State,” the Chhattisgarh CM added.

His remarks have stirred political circles, though no reaction has been received from either the BJD or Congress.