Odisha Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik returns to Assembly after 8 working days

Leader of Opposition (LoP) and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik returned to Odisha Assembly on Monday after eight working days and launched a sharp attack on the State government over its budgetary approach.

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Speaking outside the House during discussions on the Appropriation Bill, Patnaik accused the Government of failing to allocate meaningful funds for the welfare and development of the people.

The LoP remarked that while the State government claims to spend on public development, the actual allocations do not reflect those commitments. He maintained the administration has been “completely negligent” toward ‘real development needs’ and is instead satisfied with “empty slogans and showmanship”.

The former Chief Minister alleged that the ruling party is more focused on publicity than on genuine welfare schemes that impact people on the ground. He said the Government’s priorities are misplaced and lack substance.

“I am sad to say. It is not my remark alone. It is said by many people in our State that there is no expenditure, being made by the State government. It is like they are playing an empty vessel, and we all know that empty vessels make a good sound, and that is what they are satisfied by. I am very sorry to report this fact,” Naveen said in a presser.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had targeted the LoP Naveen Patnaik.

The CM raised questions about Naveen not coming to the Legislative Assembly. “If he (Naveen Patnaik) does not have the patience to sit in the House for even two minutes, how had he gone to Nuapada for six hours of campaigning?” the CM questioned.

“How many days has the Leader of the Opposition attended? How much time has he spent in the Assembly? In how many debates has he cornered the government? Just posting on social media (X) will not lead to development. The right has been given to raise issues in the House. If he is unwell, that’s a different matter,” the CM stated.