Odisha BJP hits out at BJD for ‘cheap politics’ in Nuapada ahead of bypoll

On the final day of campaigning for Nuapada by-election, Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal launched a sharp attack on Sunday on the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), accusing the party of indulging in ‘cheap politics’.

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

Addressing reporters, Samal alleged that the BJD is contesting the election in Nuapada by making hollow and emotional statements rather than discussing development issues.

Taking a direct swipe at BJD supremo and leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik, Samal questioned who the “real traitor” is, recalling that when former Nuapada MLA Rajendra Dholakia was ill, his family had repeatedly tried to contact the former Chief Minister, but he never responded to their calls.

Condemning the use of harsh words like “traitor” and “vote theft,” Samal urged the BJD supremo for respectful political discourse.

“They (BJD leaders) should recall (an incident of) March 7, 2009, to find out whether the term “traitor” applies to us or to them. When his (Rajendra Dholakia’s) son (Jay) and wife (Kalpana) had called him (Naveen Patnaik) over phone, you (the BJD supremo) neither received their call nor called them back,” Manmohan Samal alleged in the presser.

“Now the BJD is coming to Nuapada only for political mileage,” Samal remarked.

The state BJP President further asserted that while the saffron party has consistently raised development issues, the BJD should explain what it has achieved in the district in 24 years of governance.

Highlighting the current BJP-led government’s performance in the State, Samal said, “People have seen what we have achieved in nearly 500 days.”

Samal revealed that around 75,000 women have benefited from the ambitious Subhadra Yojana, while 45,000 farmers received Rs 800 each as input assistance.

However, the BJD has not yet issued any official reaction to Samal’s comments.