Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s support for Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka of the Cockroach Janata Party has triggered a major political controversy, with the Odisha unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party accusing him of attempting to create a Bangladesh-like situation in the country. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), on the contrary, has strongly condemned alleged personal attacks against the veteran leader on Wednesday (October 21, 2026).
“The detention of CJP leaders Mr. Das and Mr. Ranka has raised serious questions about democratic rights and freedom of expression. An impartial investigation is essential to establish the truth in this matter. In a democracy, the rule of law and the protection of citizens’ rights must remain paramount,” Sanjay Kumar Dasburma, BJD vice president, said, addressing a press conference on Wednesday (October 21).
Soon after Mr. Patnaik demanded review of judicial custody and release of two CJP leaders on Tuesday (October 20), the Odisha unit of BJP came up with a reaction on ‘X’ saying “Naveen wants to create a situation like Bangladesh in the country to shine his own politics!”
Besides, BJP State President Manmohan Samal said the BJD leadership had become directionless and was clueless about their positioning in politics.
“Hoisting the national flag, even in a prohibited area, should not warrant such prolonged detention. The judiciary and the executive must rise to the occasion to ensure that the youth of this country do not lose faith in the rule of law and constitutional rights,” BJD supremo had written on ‘X’.
“The manner in which BJP State President Samal has criticised Mr. Patnaik over his position on the Special Intensive Revision issue raises serious questions about political decorum and democratic values. The ruling party has every right to disagree with the views expressed by a Leader of the Opposition. However, resorting to personal attacks instead of responding with reason and facts is entirely unacceptable,” said BJD vice president.
“Before calling Naveen Patnaik directionless, the State government must provide clear answers to the people about its own direction and policies. The interests of the nation and the dignity of the Constitution are equally important to everyone. However, no political party has an exclusive right to issue certificates of patriotism,” he maintained.
Mr. Dasburma remarked, “If there is disagreement with a leader’s views, the response should be based on reason and facts. Targeting the Opposition under the guise of nationalism merely for political gain must stop.”
Posing a flurry of questions to the BJP, the BJD vice president said, “Do you want the Opposition to agree with everything the government says? If not, why resort to such language whenever the Opposition expresses a different opinion? In a democracy, asking questions is not a crime; it is a responsibility.”
In another social post, the State BJP had said, “You [Naveen Patnaik] were the CM of Odisha for 24 years and have now been out of power for barely 24 months, and have already resorted to regime-change acts? Your support for anarchists and foreign-funded anti-India forces wanting a Bangladeshi-style violent regime change is not surprising, given your own history of settling thousands of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants into the State.”
“You not only allowed them to become voters, but now you are also opposing the SIR process. The people of Odisha have always been peace-loving and have respected the sovereignty of India. The sovereignty of our nation is far more important than temporary political public relation,” the party said.
Published – October 22, 2026 01:55 am IST
