Naveen calls BJP ‘candidate thief’, claims he was betrayed; BJP hits back

Nuapada: The political battleground in Nuapada turned fiery with former chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday branding BJP a “candidate thief” and alleging that he faced “beimaani (betrayal)”. His sharp attack came over the BJP’s induction of Jay Dholakia — formerly with BJD — and his nomination for the Nov 11 bypoll. In a sharp rebuttal, Jay said his late father, Rajendra Dholakia, was betrayed by BJD — both during his illness and in the legacy he left behind.Campaigning in Tarbod village of Komna block, Naveen hit out: “BJP formed the govt by stealing votes. Now they’ve stolen a candidate. Betrayal has happened — with Nuapada residents, with

Biju Janata Dal

, and with me personally. That’s why there is anger among people. Nuapada will answer this betrayal through votes.”In Dec last year, BJD had approached the Election Commission, flagging large-scale discrepancies between vote data shared on polling day and final counting figures from the 2024 elections.Seeking votes for BJD candidate Snehangini Chhuria, party president Naveen launched a scathing attack on the BJP govt, accusing it of halting development across Odisha over the past 16 months. He alleged that promises of free electricity, increased allowances for the elderly, and employment for youth remain unfulfilled. Farmers, he claimed, are struggling to access urea, and retrenchments have not been curbed.

The former CM expressed concern over alleged rise in crimes against women and the plight of Mission Shakti mothers, who he claimed have not received salaries for eight months. He described the BJP govt as intoxicated with false propaganda — “hero in publicity, zero in work”, he quipped.The BJD chief also questioned BJP’s delivery on flagship schemes, including the comparison between Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) initiated by his govt and Ayushman Bharat, and challenged the party to account for its promises on jobs, welfare and law and order.Paying tribute to Dholakia, Naveen highlighted past achievements under the BJD govt, including the Biju Expressway, irrigation of over 10,000 hectares of land, and welfare initiatives for Sunabeda sanctuary residents.In an interview with TOI, Jay said BJD betrayed the legacy of his father, whose death necessitated the bypoll, which prompted him to join BJP. “Sadly, the BJD leadership not only ignored my father during his illness, but also disrespected his legacy after his death,” he said.Responding to Naveen’s campaign speech, state BJP president Manmohan Samal challenged the former CM to visit the neglected corners of Nuapada assembly constituency — areas he allegedly failed to reach during his 24 years in power — and explain his contributions to the people. “BJP stands for ideological battles, not personal attacks. The decline in Naveen’s popularity was clearly reflected in the outcome of the last assembly election,” Samal said.