Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Thursday, 12 November 2026, challenged Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik and all opposition parties to a comprehensive floor debate on disaster preparedness — covering both the Biju Janata Dal (BJD)'s 24-year rule and the current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government — during the upcoming Assembly session beginning 18 November. The challenge comes amid a sharp political controversy over the state government's response to Cyclone Arnab and the devastating floods it caused in Ganjam and neighbouring districts.

The Challenge and the Forum

Speaking to reporters in Bhubaneswar, Pujari described the state legislature as the most appropriate arena for such a reckoning. 'We will come prepared with all the facts and figures. I appeal to all political parties to come prepared as well,' he said. He invited opposition parties to engage in a wide-ranging discussion covering every major cyclone and flood Odisha has faced since the 1999 Super Cyclone — examining preparedness measures, response mechanisms, and outcomes across administrations.

The Rainfall Numbers Behind Arnab

Patrapur block in Ganjam district recorded 89.4 mm of rainfall on 28 October, which surged to a staggering 546 mm the following day — the fourth-highest single-day rainfall total in Odisha's recorded history. An additional 173 mm fell on 30 October, taking the three-day cumulative to 808.4 mm. Similar extreme rainfall was reported across several blocks in Kandhamal and Gajapati districts during the same period, which Pujari described as precipitation of an intensity never previously witnessed in the region.

BJP vs BJD: The Casualty Comparison

Pujari trained his sharpest criticism at the BJD's handling of Cyclone Phailin in 2013, noting that it recorded 205.55 mm of rainfall — far less than Arnab's peak — yet resulted in 22 flood-related deaths and 23 cyclone-related deaths. By contrast, he said, Ganjam recorded zero flood casualties during Cyclone Arnab. Some deaths were reported in the district during the period, but Pujari clarified these were attributable to landslides, not floods.

Infrastructure Failures Attributed to BJD Era

The minister further alleged that the BJD, during its long tenure, failed to construct an adequate number of gates in dams and reservoir systems along the Rushikulya River and its tributaries — a structural deficit he argued hampered effective flood control. He said the current BJP government is working in collaboration with IITs and other technical institutions to strengthen existing infrastructure and build new systems designed to minimise the impact of floods and landslides.

What Comes Next

The Odisha Assembly winter session opens on 18 November, and both sides appear set for a confrontation over disaster management records. Whether the opposition accepts the debate challenge will determine whether the exchange moves from press conferences to the legislative floor, where it carries greater political weight. The session is expected to be contentious, with the floods likely to dominate early proceedings.