In the wake of the recent attack on former BJD MLA Pranab Balabantaray in the Jajpur district, political tensions have flared in Odisha. The incident has sparked a war of words between the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Background: What Happened in Jajpur?
On Sunday, former Dharmasala MLA and youth BJD leader Pranab Balabantaray was attacked in broad daylight while traveling to Aruha village for a religious event. Armed miscreants ambushed his vehicle despite alleged prior warnings, prompting a wave of political criticism over Odisha’s law and order situation.
Naveen Patnaik Condemns the Attack
Soon after the incident, BJD supremo and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik took to social media (on the platform ‘X’) to express his outrage. He described the attack as a “coordinated assault” and claimed it highlighted the deteriorating law and order in the state.
“If elected representatives aren’t safe, what about the common people?” Patnaik asked, urging the government to take swift and strict action against those promoting political violence.
Sampad Swain Hits Back: ‘Where Was This Outrage Earlier?’
Odisha’s Industries Minister and BJP leader Sampad Swain wasn’t impressed. He accused Patnaik of playing politics and called his statement “laughable and hypocritical.”
Swain referred to high-profile crimes during the BJD’s time in power—like the Itishree Pradhan case (2013), Bebina’s death, and Mamita Meher’s murder (2021)—to question why Patnaik had not shown the same level of concern then.
“Where was Naveen Babu when those tragedies happened?” Swain asked. “His silence during those times speaks volumes.”
Internal Chaos in BJD?
Taking it a step further, Swain claimed that the attack on Balabantaray wasn’t an act by outsiders—but by members of the BJD’s own party.
“This clearly shows the internal breakdown within the BJD,” Swain said. “There’s no discipline, no structure, and no unity left. The party is falling apart from the inside.”
He described the BJD as a sinking ship and warned that the party was nearing political “extinction.”
Key Takeaways
- The attack on former MLA Balabantaray has ignited a fierce political spat between BJD and BJP in Odisha.
- Naveen Patnaik condemned the incident, highlighting concerns over law and order.
- BJP’s Sampad Swain accused Patnaik of hypocrisy and pointed to earlier cases where the BJD remained silent.
- Swain claimed the BJD is suffering from internal breakdown, with party workers allegedly turning against each other.
