Odisha: BJD Criticizes BJP for 'Insulting' Social Media Remark
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Bhubaneswar, Dec 13 (NationPress) The Biju Janata Dal, the opposition party, on Friday expressed its disapproval of a ‘derogatory’ social media post on the official X account of the BJP’s Odisha unit concerning the unsuccessful Potato Mission initiated during the tenure of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who led the BJD government.
Senior BJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra labeled the depiction of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in this post as extremely derogatory and shameful. He took issue with the ruling party for portraying Patnaik, the BJD Supremo, in such a negative light.
“Respected @BJP4India President Shri. @JPNaddaJi, attached is a shocking social media post on the X handle of @BJP4Odisha which depicts former Hon'ble CM of Odisha and @bjd_odisha President Shri. @Naveen_Odisha in an extremely derogatory, malicious, spiteful, and disparaging manner,” Patra stated on his official ‘X’ account.
“He is the same individual who graciously attended the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP Government in Odisha, the Tallest Leader of Odisha who is cherished by 4.5 crore people of Odisha and beyond. Is this how your party treats a statesman, a Tall Leader, a man who has been recognized as an epitome of leadership by the highest echelons of your Union Government and Party? We strongly denounce this malicious and derogatory post by @BJP4Odisha in the strongest possible terms. To put it plainly, it’s shameful,” Patra further added.
The BJP's state unit had shared a photo on its official X handle on Thursday, featuring Patnaik and his close associate, former bureaucrat VK Pandian, holding them accountable for the failed potato mission in Odisha. The ruling party accused Patnaik of being responsible for the potato crisis in the state.
It has been reported that a total of Rs 267 crore was allocated for the much-publicized potato mission since 2015 to enhance potato production, which ultimately failed.
It’s noteworthy to mention that the state has recently encountered a significant potato shortage, leading to a price surge due to frequent interruptions in potato supplies from the neighboring state of West Bengal.
According to reports, Odisha needs approximately 14 lakh tonnes of potatoes annually to satisfy the state’s demand. Meanwhile, the state primarily relies on West Bengal for its potato supply.
