New Delhi:

As a university in Odisha was celebrating its three-day annual fest, a student’s body was discovered in her hostel room. Within hours, the discovery led to embassy-level talks between two countries. The death of Prakriti Lamsal, a 20-year-old Nepali student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar set off a storm of allegations, arrests, diplomatic unease, and student unrest. 

What Happened 

Prakriti, a third-year B.Tech (Computer Science) student, was found dead in her hostel room on Sunday afternoon. The police initially registered it as a case of suicide, but the circumstances surrounding her death triggered protests within the campus. 

Students from Nepal demanded an inquiry and accountability from the university administration whom they accuse of ignoring Prakriti’s requests for intervention. Prakriti was allegedly being subjected to both physical and verbal abuse by Advik Shrivastava, a 21-year-old BTech (Mechanical) student of the same university. In an audio file, which went viral after Prakriti’s body was discovered, a man can be heard unleashing an expletives-ridden tirade against a woman who can be heard sobbing. The man forces the woman to call herself a “wh*r*” and even manipulates an apology out of her. 

The audio features both individuals addressing each other as Advik and Prakriti, however, NDTV could not independently verify the clip. 

Advik, a resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow, was arrested on Monday from outside Bhubaneswar’s airport and charged with abetment of suicide.

Prakriti’s body, after a post-mortem at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, has been handed over to her family. It will be flown to Nepal today. “I had sent my daughter for higher studies, trusting that she would be safe. What happened here is unacceptable,” said her father, Sunil Lamsal.

Students Manhandled

After Nepali students protested, KIIT University — founded and run by veteran Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former MP Achyuta Samanta — instead of engaging with the students, responded with force. Security personnel, along with senior university officials, allegedly manhandled protesting students, leading to a violent crackdown that was caught on camera. 

Videos circulated on social media showed students being physically assaulted and subjected to verbal abuse. In one of those videos, two senior university officials were also seen making derogatory remarks against Nepal, with one of them claiming that the country’s GDP is lower than KIIT’s budget for the roughly 40,000 students that the university caters to. 

#WATCH | Odisha: A https://t.co/jHgpcuG1h1 third-year girl student from Nepal was found dead in KIIT University (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology) hostel in Bhubaneswar on 16th February. As per a notice issued by the University, the institute is hence closed sine die… pic.twitter.com/vVfgY140up

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2025

The protests continued overnight. Then the unexpected happened. With only days left for exams, all the Nepali students were told to leave the university premises. 

“The University is closed Sine Die for all the International students from Nepal. They are hereby directed to vacate the university campus immediately today on 17th February 2025,” a university statement read. 

The students were put on university buses and were sent packing to the railway station in Cuttack to fend for themselves. “They (KIIT) didn’t say anything, they just asked us to leave,” said one Nepali student. 

Odisha Government Steps In

The Odisha government on Tuesday formed a three-member fact-finding committee to investigate both the circumstances of Prakriti’s death and the university’s handling of student protests. The panel is led by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), with members from the Higher Education and Women and Child Development departments.

State Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj admitted that KIIT authorities had failed to inform the government about the incident, including the forced eviction of foreign students. “The institution has been placed under notice, and appropriate legal and administrative action shall follow based on the findings of the fact-finding committee,” he said.

Mr Suraj questioned why Nepali students were de-boarded at Cuttack railway station and why the state government was kept in the dark about the unfolding crisis. He said that while around 100 Nepali students remain on campus, nearly 800 others have left for Nepal.

Arrests and Legal Action

Including Advik, the Odisha Police have made six arrests in connection with both the student’s death and the violence against protesters. Among those detained are three senior university officials-Director General (HR) Sibananda Mishra, Director (Administration) Pratap Kumar Chamupaty, and Director of Hostels Sudhir Kumar Rath. Two security guards, Jogendra Behera and Ramakanta Nayak, were also arrested for their role in the violent crackdown.

Two separate cases have been filed. The first concerns the suicide and was registered based on a complaint from Prakriti’s cousin. The second was initiated by the police, following viral videos of security personnel assaulting students.

Apologies and Diplomatic Fallout

One KIIT faculty member, Manjusha Pandey, was heard claiming in the viral videos that KIIT “feeds and educates over 40,000 students for free,” an amount she suggested was equivalent to Nepal’s national budget. Another staff member, Jayanti Nath, was recorded shouting similar statements.

Both Ms Pandey and Ms Nath later issued public apologies. “My statements were made in the heat of the moment,” Ms Pandey said in a video message. “If my words hurt the sentiments of any Nepali students or people of Nepal, I sincerely apologise.”

@MEAIndia@PM_nepal_@DrSJaishankar@PMOIndia@MofaNepal@IndiaInNepal@EONIndia pic.twitter.com/zPsRL0wNm8

— Jayanti Nath (@JayantiNath6) February 18, 2025

KIIT also issued an apology and removed two of its officials from service, though it did not name them. The institute urged Nepali students to return to their hostels and resume their studies.

The Nepalese government, however, has not taken the issue lightly. In a strongly worded statement, it warned that it might suspend issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for students seeking admission to universities in Odisha if the matter was not resolved in a “justifiable and legal way.”

Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli personally intervened, stating that his government was handling the matter through diplomatic channels. “Our Embassy in New Delhi has dispatched officers to counsel affected students,” he announced.

The Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the incident “unimaginable” and assured that it was in continuous contact with the Indian government and KIIT authorities. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu also pledged to ensure the safety of Nepali students in India.

Political Fallout In Odisha

The controversy quickly turned into a political flashpoint in Odisha. The Congress party has demanded a judicial inquiry, while the ruling BJP – which came to power in Odisha for the first time in history after their shock win over the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD in the Assembly elections last year –  has called for the arrest of KIIT founder Achyuta Samanta. The BJD, in turn, has blamed the incident on deteriorating law and order under the BJP-led state government.

The issue was also raised in the Odisha Assembly, with MLAs across party lines condemning the incident. “The developments at KIIT have brought a bad name to the state, and this cannot be tolerated,” a Congress MLA said during the debate.

New Delhi:

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Thursday said it is not satisfied with the Centre’s response over the potential submergence of Odisha’s Malkangiri district due to the Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh.

A delegation, comprising present and former MPs, senior leaders and MLAs met officials of the Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs ministries, the Central Water Commission (CWC), and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) over the last three days to press for urgent action.

Multiple delegation members also alleged that the Centre is under pressure from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for the project after TDP became a key ally post 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing a press conference, Rajya Sabha BJD MP Sasmit Patra said the delegation was “dissatisfied” with the responses received so far.

“There is no clarity on how many people will be affected or the hectares of land that will be submerged in Odisha,” he said.

Highlighting alleged changes to the project design, he added, “The design flood discharge capacity was increased from 36 lakh to 50 lakh cusecs without proper consultations, which threatens to severely impact Malkangiri’s tribal communities.” Speaking about the lack of studies, Patra noted, “When we asked for data on the affected population and land, we received no answers. This silence by the Centre on Polavaram will have dire consequences for the people of Malkangiri.” Party leader Debi Prasad Mishra, who is heading the delegation, outlined the key issues in a formal memorandum submitted to different departments.

He said the project, with its revised flood discharge, risks submerging vast tracts of land and jeopardizing the lives and livelihoods of tribal communities.

“The resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) process is inadequate, and Odisha’s concerns regarding backwater studies and submergence levels have not been addressed,” Debi Prasad Mishra stated.

The delegation highlighted discrepancies in backwater impact studies.

While the original design flood capacity of 36 lakh cusecs in 1970 limited backwater levels to 174.22 feet, more recent studies suggest levels as high as 232.28 feet due to the revised capacity, Debi Prasad Mishra said.

These changes, the delegation asserted, have not been matched by adequate consultation or compensation plans.

The delegation members also emphasised that Odisha’s tribal communities remain vulnerable.

Debi Prasad Mishra pointed to the National Green Tribunal’s failure to conduct public hearings or address safety concerns adequately.

He called on the Centre to prioritize a fresh backwater study, conduct surveys to identify the extent of submergence, and ensure comprehensive R&R measures for the affected communities.

The delegation members urged the Ministry of Jal Shakti to heed the Supreme Court’s suggestion for proactive stakeholder consultations.

“The people of Malkangiri cannot be left to bear the brunt of these unilateral changes,” said Patra, warning that any further inaction could escalate tensions between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh over the project’s implementation.

The Polavaram project, dubbed a lifeline for Andhra Pradesh, has faced strong resistance from Odisha and Chhattisgarh due to its potential cross-border impacts, making it a contentious issue in inter-state water disputes.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Responding to allegations that Odisha government officials took bribes for a power purchase agreement in 2021, when it was in power in the state, the Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal has said the deal was between two government entities and no private parties, including the Adani Group, were involved.

A similar statement has also been made by the DMK, which is in power in Tamil Nadu.

“This power purchase agreement made in 2021 was between two government agencies – a central government public sector undertaking (PSU) which is a mini navratna of the Government of India Solar Energy Corporation of India (under the Union Ministry of Renewable Energy) and a state govt PSU Gridco – solely for the purpose of supply of renewable energy. This is part of a central government scheme called the manufacturing linked solar scheme,” Pratap Keshari Deb, Odisha’s former energy minister and the deputy chief whip of the BJD in the state Assembly, said in a statement.

Mr Deb said that the agreement was to procure 500 MW of renewable energy from the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) at the lowest rates discovered by the PSU. “There was no engagement with any private party whatsoever, including the Adani Group,” he said.

Highlighting that the state has been procuring renewable energy from central government PSUs like SECI and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) since 2011, the party said that the allegations were “baseless and incorrect”.

Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji said the state has an understanding to buy power only from a firm owned by the Union government.

“I would like to first clarify that as regards TN Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), there has been no kind of commercial relationship with Mr Adani’s company during the past three years (after the DMK formed the government in May 2021),” Mr Balaji said.

The minister said Tamil Nadu inked a pact for procurement of 1,500MW with SECI, adding “there is no direct contact with Mr Adani’s firm”.

The Adani Group has firmly denied a US government department report alleging bribery for power contracts.

“All possible legal recourse will be sought. The Adani Group has always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of its operations. We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws,” the Group said in a statement.

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

Odisha LoP Naveen Patnaik.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The Biju Janata Dal has lashed out at the Narendra Modi government accusing that Odisha’s demand for special category State status has been overlooked in the Union Budget while crores of funds have been allocated for Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.

Reacting to the Budget, former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “BJP had put special category status in their manifesto as a promise to the people of Odisha. However, this promise has not been considered for Odisha, whereas special packages, allocating crores of funds have been announced for Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.”

“Along with this, the demand of Odisha for revision of coal royalty, which has been pending for years with the central government, has been rejected, because of which the State will lose thousands of crores of revenue every year,” Mr. Patnaik charged, terming the Budget disappointing.

In sync with the party’s stand, all the BJD MPs in Rajya Sabha walked out of House when the Union Budget was being laid.

“Before Walking out, the BJD MPs strongly said in the House that they were walking out due to the denial of Special Category State status to Odisha. While Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar had been asking for the special category, the two states got Special additional funds while Odisha’s demand was not considered,” said BJD MP and party spokesperson Sasmit Patra.

He sarcastically said probably this was the punishment meted out to Odisha for electing 20 Lok Sabha BJP MPs out of 21 MPs from Odisha.

“Lots of big promises in different sectors were made to the people of Odisha during the election campaign especially on agriculture , MSME and industry. There is no mention of any promise being fulfilled in this Budget. This is a complete neglect of Odisha and her people,” the BJD supremo maintained.

Mr. Patnaik further said, “We all know that Odisha faces a number of natural disasters every year, including floods. We had requested for a special package for disaster management. While similar requests of other States have been considered and they have been granted special packages for flood protection, the genuine demand of Odisha on disaster management has not been considered.”

The former CM pointed out, “we have been fighting for Justice in the Polavaram issue. Allocating more and more funds for Polavaram without sorting out the genuine grievances of Odisha shows impartiality against Odisha.”

On the expected line, the State unit of Bharatiya Janata Party welcomed the budget saying it was progressive and aimed at achieving goal of Vikshit Bharat.

Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singh Deo said, “When a 24-year-old government did not take any step to improve the tourism sector, the Central government’s specific announcement for Odisha’s tourism development should be welcomed. It will generate employment.”

“Whatever special assistance is required for Odisha has been granted through different infrastructure projects and national programmes. Odisha has got more than its due share,” Mr. Singh Deo said. The State government would take up the issue of submergence of localities in its Malkangiri district due to Polavaram project of Andhra Pradesh, he said.

Bhubaneswar:

Ex-Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal – which helped ex-ally Bharatiya Janata Party pass key bills in the Modi government’s first two terms, when it lacked numbers in the Rajya Sabha – seems to have firmly switched sides now and labelled itself a “strong and vibrant opposition”.

“We will make the centre accountable on all issues. BJD MPs will raise all issues pertaining to the state’s development and the welfare of the people of Odisha. Many rightful demands haven’t been met,” the party quoted Mr Patnaik after a meeting with his nine Rajya Sabha MPs in Bhubaneswar Monday.

“(We will) be the voice of 4.5 crore people of Odisha in Parliament…”

The BJD’s assertive stance comes not only after providing the BJP outside support on various issues in the past 10 years, but after breakdown in alliance talks in March, just weeks before the elections began.

Had those talks born fruit, the BJD and Mr Modi’s party would have re-allied nearly 15 years after a split that prompted late BJP leader Sushma Swaraj to say Mr Patnaik would “regret” snapping ties.

NDTV Explains | 15 Years After Split, Naveen Patnaik’s BJD Hints At NDA Return

In the past, support from the BJD and ex-Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy – his YSR Congress was ousted by the BJP’s ally, Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP – was crucial on several occasions, such as the election of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to the Rajya Sabha in 2009 and 2014.

More recently, the BJD’s support also helped the BJP push through the Delhi services bill, ensured a no-confidence motion against the Modi government flopped, and pushed through laws like Triple Talaq and the J&K Reorganisation Bill.

BJD’s “Rightful Demands” From BJP

The “rightful demands”, the BJD’s statement said, ranged from ‘special category’ status for Odisha to housing and education for the poor, and from establishment of premier medical institutions like All India Institute of Medical Sciences – “… not satellite units” – to improved national highways.

The party also flagged social and economic issues, including the controversial topic of MSP, or minimum support price, for farmers, which has been a bone of contention between the opposition and the BJP since the violent protests of 2021/22. The BJD also said it will “demand inclusion of 162 communities” in the state’s Scheduled Tribes list, which it said it had been lobbying for “for many years”.

All of this comes after thumping wins by Mr Modi’s party in the May-June Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. In the former the BJP routed the BJD by winning 20 of the state’s 21 seats and, in the latter, Mr Patnaik – who lost the Kantabanji seat to the BJP’s Laxman Bag – won only 51 of 147, down from 112 five years ago. The BJP secured 78 – four over majority – to form its first Odisha government.

READ | “Oh, You Defeated Me”: BJD Boss Naveen Patnaik To BJP MLA

The twin defeats left Mr Patnaik firmly on the backfoot in a state he has dominated since 2000; his BJD had won every Assembly poll and over 50 per cent of Lok Sabha seats in each general election.

In fact, the BJD has failed, for the first time, to win even one Lok Sabha seat.

READ | After Heated Campaign, PM, Patnaik Greet Each Other At Swearing-In

The BJD, which had 12 Lok Sabha MPs in 2019, now has only nine in the Rajya Sabha. And that number will be cut in half in 2026, when four Odisha seats – now held by the BJD – fall vacant.

“Will Be Strong Opposition”

Earlier today BJD leader Sasmit Patra said party boss Naveen Patnaik had given “clear instructions to fight for the rights of the state’s people in Parliament”. “No more support to BJP, only opposition. We may go to any extent to protect the interests of Odisha,” he said after Mr Patnaik’s meeting.

READ | Will Be “Strong Opposition” For BJP: Naveen Patnaik’s Party

In the recent election the BJD was not part of the Congress-led INDIA bloc, which united the opposition to stifle Mr Modi, the BJP, and the party-led National Democratic Alliance.

Mr Patnaik and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar – who helped found the INDIA group before jumping ship to the NDA after internal rows – met in May last year but the BJD boss remained non-committal and passed off the meeting as one between “old friends and colleagues”.

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Bhubaneswar:

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s close aide and senior BJD leader VK Pandian on Tuesday claimed the opposition BJP has “committed nine self goals” during the ongoing Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly polls thus boosting the regional party’s electoral prospect.

Mr Pandian claimed that the BJP’s self-goals will help the BJD and none can stop the regional party from forming the government for the sixth consecutive time.

Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are being held simultaneously in Odisha.

He also claimed that the BJD has so far by the end of the third phase of Assembly polls, already secured majority to form government in the state and the next and final phase of voting will be held in BJD’s stronghold areas.

Speaking on the nine self-goals of the BJP, Mr Pandian claimed that the number one “mistake” in the series was to drag Lord Jagannath’s name to the political discourse and also using “abusive language” against Odisha’s most popular and five-time chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

“The people of Odisha do not appreciate these words against a respected person like Mr Patnaik,” he said.

On the second self-goal, Mr Pandian said they have said in the manifesto to “close down” the Mission Shakti if BJP comes to power. They have all along conspired against Mission Shakti which has about 70 lakh women membership. This possible action of BJP has created a “panicky situation” among the women.

He said if the BJP comes to power, it will “stop” the benefits of the Biju Swaasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) for the people of Odisha by implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme. While the Ayushman Bharat scheme is only for the BPL people, the BSKY covers about 90 per cent of the state’s population.

“This is the third self-goal and the people of Odisha will teach BJP a lesson in the elections,” Mr Pandian said.

The bureaucrat-turned-politician said the BJD government has introduced school, college, university and technical education institutions transformation. The BJP will “close down” all such activities if it comes to power. This apart, the BJP will also “stop” giving scholarships to the students, Mr Pandian claimed.

On the fifth self-goal, Mr Pandian said the tribals “fear” that the BJP will “stop” the BJD’s Special Development Councils (SDCs) which work to protect and promote the tribal language and culture. No BJP rules state has such facilities for the tribals as provided by the Patnaik government in Odisha, he claimed.

This apart, Mr Pandian said that the people are apprehensive that the state’s communal harmony will be disturbed if the BJP comes to power. In “Double Engine Sarkar” states, there is illegal extortion collection and small businessmen are the victims, he alleged. The people apprehend that such culture will also come to Odisha if BJP forms government in the state, he said.

Regarding MSP on paddy, Mr Pandian said that the BJP has now announced to give Rs 3,100 as MSP per quintal of paddy. The people are now asking why it was not earlier while the central government is the authority to decide the rate of MSP.

He said the BJP got a shock after the Patnaik government announced free electricity to about 90 per cent of the households. They have now coined free power versus solar power.

The BJP’s solar power scheme will meet the fate of the Ujjawala scheme where the women had to pay heavy price after getting a cylinder or two free of cost, he said.

On the BJP’s ninth self-goal, Mr Pandian said it is BJP’s ‘Subhadra Yojana’ under which the saffron party announced to give Rs 50,000 to each women.

“If each woman in Odisha gets Rs 50,000, the total amount required will be Rs 1 lakh core. This is another ‘jumla’ of BJP after the false assurance of Rs 15 lakh to each family,”Mr Pandian said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

BJP leader Sambit Patra found himself in the eye of a political storm following an unfortunate slip of the tongue. During an interaction with media after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadshow in Odisha’s Puri yesterday, Mr Patra suggested that Lord Jagannath, the revered deity of the ancient town, is a devotee of PM Modi. This gaffe has ignited a fierce backlash from political rivals, especially from Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

The incident occurred in the sweltering heat and chaos following PM Modi’s roadshow. Mr Patra in his clarifications has said that he had aimed to highlight PM Modi’s devotion to Lord Jagannath but mistakenly stated, “Jagannath is Modi’s bhakt.” The comment, captured on camera, immediately stirred controversy, drawing ire from multiple quarters. The political fallout as a result of Mr Patra’s remarks has prompted the BJP leader to undertake a period of “upvaas” (fasting) in atonement.

READ | Sambit Patra’s “Slip Of Tongue” That Found A New ‘Bhakt’ For PM Modi

“Today, a statement made by me had created a controversy. After PM Narendra Modi’s roadshow in Puri, I gave byte to many media channels and everywhere I said the same thing, that PM Narendra Modi is an ardent devotee of Mahaprabhu Jagannath… In the end, when another channel took my byte, it was extremely hot, crowded and noisy. Unknowingly, while giving the byte, I said the opposite, that Mahaprabhu is a devotee of PM Narendra Modi. This can never be true, and a person in his senses can never say such things that god is a devotee of a human. I have made this mistake unintentionally. I know some people must have been hurt but even god forgives mistakes made unintentionally… I need to seek forgiveness from Mahaprabhu Jagannath for this slip of the tongue and I have decided to do a ‘upvaas’,” Mr Patra said.

आज महाप्रभु श्री जगन्नाथ जी को लेकर मुझसे जो भूल हुई है, उस विषय को लेकर मेरा अंतर्मन अत्यंत पीड़ित है।

मैं महाप्रभु श्री जगन्नाथ जी के चरणों में शीश झुकाकर क्षमा याचना करता हूँ। अपने इस भूल सुधार और पश्चाताप के लिए अगले 3 दिन मैं उपवास पर रहूँगा।

जय जगन्नाथ।

ଆଜି ଶ୍ରୀ… pic.twitter.com/rKavOxMjIq

— Sambit Patra (Modi Ka Parivar) (@sambitswaraj) May 20, 2024

The reaction from Naveen Patnaik was swift and sharp. The Odisha Chief Minister condemned Mr Patra’s statement in a scathing social media post, saying that such remarks insult the sanctity of ‘Mahaprabhu’ Jagannath and hurt the sentiments of millions of devotees. He urged the BJP to refrain from dragging the deity into political discourse, a sentiment echoed by other opposition leaders.

“Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannatha is the Lord of the Universe. Calling Mahaprabhu a bhakt of another human being is an insult to the Lord. This has hurt the sentiments and demeaned the faith of crores of Jagannatha bhaktas and Odias across the world,” Mr Patnaik wrote.

Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannatha is the Lord of Universe.

Calling Mahaprabhu a bhakt of another human being is an insult to the Lord. This has hurt the sentiments and demeaned the faith of crores of Jagannatha bhaktas and Odias across the world.

The Lord is the greatest Symbol of…

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) May 20, 2024

The controversy quickly gained momentum, with leaders from various parties joining the chorus of condemnation. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the BJP’s perceived arrogance, suggesting that such statements indicate a dangerous level of self-aggrandisement within the party. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal echoed these sentiments, calling Mr Patra’s statement a height of arrogance and an “insult to God”.

The Congress, BJD, and AAP capitalised on the uproar, with the Congress demanding an apology from Prime Minister Modi himself. “Sambit Patra, who is immersed in Modi Bhakti, should not have committed this sin. Narendra Modi should apologise for this disgusting statement,” stated the Congress’s official communication.

Amid the escalating backlash, Mr Patra took to social media to clarify his statement. He explained that it was an inadvertent slip of the tongue, a mistake made under the strain of the moment. “I gave a number of bytes today to multiple media channels…by mistake during one of the bytes I pronounced just the opposite. I know you too know and understand this. Sir, let’s not make an issue out of a nonexistent issue. We all have a slip of the tongue sometimes,” Mr Patra wrote directly to Chief Minister Patnaik, seeking to defuse the situation.

Despite Mr Patra’s apology, opposition parties remained unyielding. The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) lodged a formal complaint, alleging that Mr Patra’s statement was a deliberate attempt to insult religious sentiments. They accused him of violating the model code of conduct and called for strict action.

This controversy unfolds as Odisha heads into a crucial phase of the elections, with Patra’s gaffe potentially influencing voter sentiment. The BJP, which is striving to make significant inroads in the state, now faces the challenge of mitigating the fallout from this incident.

 

Bhubaneswar:

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday unveiled its manifesto for the simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls to make Odisha the No. 1 state in the country by 2036.

Releasing the regional party’s manifesto, BJD president Naveen Patnaik announced the introduction of Kalingashree and Kalinga Bhushan awards annually, akin to Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards, to celebrate Odisha’s rich culture and heritage.

“This manifesto will be accepted by the state cabinet in its first meeting after the new BJD government is installed after elections,” Mr Patnaik said.

He expressed confidence that the manifesto, once implemented through the 5T governance model, would transform Odisha into a modern, identity-based state of growth and pride.

“Youth empowerment is a key aspect of the manifesto, with a separate budget of Rs 1 lakh-crore earmarked for the youth of Odisha over the next decade,” he said.

Additionally, the party pledged to increase scholarships for girls and boys and create two lakh government jobs in the next five years. Mr Patnaik also announced plans for a new skills and entrepreneurship university, State Institute of Fashion Technology, and AI University in Odisha.

In terms of industry, the focus will be on attracting investment in new technologies like semiconductors, IT, and artificial intelligence, alongside promoting eco-friendly tourism. The manifesto also promises free electricity for households using up to 100 units and subsidised electricity for those using 100 to 150 units.

Middle-class families will benefit from initiatives like Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana coverage, interest subvention on home loans, and scholarships for children’s education, the manifesto said.

Additionally, the manifesto outlines plans to empower women, tribal, OBC, and minority communities through interest-free loans, financial linkages for self-help groups, and pension schemes.

According to the manifesto, the SHGs will be provided government business worth Rs 20,000 crore in the next 10 years. Individual women entrepreneurs will be assisted with a corpus fund of Rs 100 crore to provide subsidised loans up to Rs 10 lakh to start and grow their business. Mission Shakti will be pension for women. All grassroots women workers, community support workers, anganwadi workers, and ASHAs will also receive Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) coverage and social security pensions, the BJD promised in its manifesto.

Food security, agricultural support, heritage preservation, and language development are also key components of the manifesto.

The party plans to continue and expand initiatives like the KALIA scheme for farmers and provide financial assistance for dependent girl marriages and crop loans.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Bhubaneswar:

Chikiti Assembly constituency in Odisha’s Ganjam district is all set to witness a contest between two brothers in the forthcoming elections to be held on May 13. The brothers facing each other in the electoral battlefield are sons of former Odisha Assembly Speaker Chintamani Dyan Samantaray.

While the opposition BJP has fielded younger brother Manoranjan Dyan Samantaray, his elder brother Ravindanath Dyan Samantaray has been picked up by the Congress. The Congress and BJP declared their candidatures on Tuesday.

Their father Chintamani Dyan Samantaray, a senior Congress leader, was elected three times from Chikiti – twice as an independent (1980 and 1995) and once on a Congress ticket (1985).

While junior Samantaray unsuccessfully contested the assembly elections twice – on Congress ticket (2014) and BJP ticket (2019), his elder brother is contesting for the first time.

The Biju Janata Dal has fielded Chinmayananda Srirup Deb, son of the state’s Urban Development minister Usha Devi as its candidate from the Chikiti assembly seat, as Usha Devi was reluctant to contest this time due to her age-old problem. Usha Devi had been elected from the seat five times.

“I have been active in Congress since my father’s period. As a result, I got a ticket from the party to contest. It will be a contest between two ideologies and not between two brothers,” said Ravindranath.

Manoranjan claimed that he was very active in politics for the last several years and got the BJP ticket to contest the election.

“Some vested interests might have instigated my brother to contest in Congress ticket to create disturbance in the family. However, it would have no impact on my poll prospects,” he said.

Chintamani Dyan Samantray said due to his ill health, he might not campaign.

The 84-year-old veteran leader, however, said he was a Congressman and opposed the policies of the BJP.

“My younger son’s decision to contest on BJP ticket was his own decision. In democracy, we cannot impose our decision on anyone,” he added.

Nabarangpur district in southern Odisha will witness a fight between an aunt and her nephew in the Odisha Assembly election to be held on May 13.

Kausalya Pradhan, the aunt has been fielded by BJD from the Nabarangpur Assembly seat while her nephew Dilip is the Congress candidate for the same constituency.

“This is a fight of two parties and not exactly between aunt and nephew,” said Dilip.

Kausalya said the elections will have no impact on their family relationship.

Family members contesting against each other in elections is not new in Indian politics, said J K Baral, a retired professor of Political Science in Berhampur University.

“In the past, we have seen several such instances. Not surprised that two brothers are challenging each other in the same constituency,” Mr Baral said. 
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Bhubaneswar:

BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Thursday expelled two MLAs including Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, also the owner-editor of Odiya daily Sambad, on charges of anti-people activities.

“Two MLAs have been expelled from the BJD. They are Sudhansu Sekhar Parida from Remuna and Soumya Ranjan Patnaik from Khandapada,” Mr Patnaik told reporters here.

Soumya Ranjan Patnaik was earlier removed from the party’s vice-president post on September 12.

As the editor of Odia daily Sambad, he had written two signed editorials attacking his own party. He had criticised CM’s private secretary VK Pandian for allegedly exercising influence beyond his official position.

The latest action against Soumya Ranjan Patnaik comes after the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of Odisha Police registered a case against him under different sections of the IPC including cheating and fraud.

To justify charges of Khandapada MLA’s involvement in anti-people activities, the BJD in an official note signed by chief minister Naveen Patnaik said, “On an FIR by an ex-employee of Sambad newspaper, a case under Sections 506/467/468/471/420/120-B IPC has been registered against him and others by Economic Offence Wing, Odisha. Further, many ex-employees of Sambad newspaper have made similar allegations with the EOW. It is a serious case of organised bank fraud involving loans worth crores of rupees taken in the name of more than 300 employees of Sambad by using fraudulent means and forged documents.” 

Similarly, Remuna MLA Sudhansu Sekhar Parida has been accused of misappropriating government subsidy worth Rs 3 crore meant for farmers. The matter is being inquired into by the state vigilance following an order of the Lokayukta, the BJD press note said.

Mr Parida, however, claimed that he was not involved in any subsidy scam on basis of which Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expelled him from the party.

“I do not have any involvement in any scam as alleged. The vigilance wing is probing the case. My people in Remuna are happy with my work,” Mr Parida said. Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik is yet to react to BJD’s action.

“Sri Sudhansu Sekhar Parida, when he was managing partner of M/s Nigamananda Associates, Balasore, in connivance with others misappropriated government subsidy meant for farmers to the tune of more than Rs 3 crore during the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20. This matter is being inquired into by the State Vigilance on the orders of the Honorable Lokayukta,” the party statement said.

Soumya Ranjan Patnaik was the fourth BJD MLA to be charged with “anti-people activities” by the party.

The first in the list was Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi, who was arrested and jailed before being expelled from the BJD. The second lawmaker was Prashant Jagde, MLA from Chilika, and Sudhansu Sekhar Parida was third in the list.

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) under the crime branch of Odisha Police had raided the office of Sambad, owned by Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, over the alleged loan fraud. The investigating agency has claimed that it has seized “credible” documents including loan/bank related papers.

“The loan in name of its employees by Sambad and Eastern Media Limited is a well thought of conspiracy and organised bank fraud,” the EOW said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Opposition BJP and Congress have strongly criticised the ruling BJD over its action against the Sambad editor.

“There is no democracy in BJD and the regional party is run in an autocratic manner. Soumya Babu was expelled from the party without being issued any showcause notice,” BJP veteran and leader of the opposition JN Mishra told reporters.

Mishra expressed surprise over BJD action as Soumya Ranjan Patnaik had penned some editorial columns as an editor and not as a legislator.

“As far I know, an editor of a leading daily should not be accountable to any political party,” he said.

Similarly, Congress MLA Suresh Routray said the BJD had made Soumya Ranjan Patnaik a “hero” by expelling him from party for accusing a secretay-level officer who allegedly spent crores of rupees making whirlwind tours of the state on a chopper.

OPCC president Sarat Pattnayak said the expulsion of two MLAs from the party indicates the beginning of BJD’s downfall. “There are many tainted leaders in the ruling party,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)