Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday likened critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “cockroaches”, accusing them of creating unrest and obstructing the country’s development by turning non-issues into controversies.
Addressing a gathering at Kalinganagar in Jajpur district, Majhi said India was making rapid progress under Modi’s leadership towards the goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat’, but some critics were attempting to derail the development process by creating an atmosphere of anarchy and instability.
“While we are busy with development, they are busy with movements. While we are working for Odisha’s progress, they are engaged in politics,” Majhi said, without naming any political party, organisation or individual.
The chief minister alleged that his opponents had no vision or commitment to development and were resorting to agitations to remain politically relevant. He accused them of staging protests in Bhubaneswar and New Delhi instead of contributing to the state’s progress.
Majhi also accused his critics of placing political interests above national interests, contrasting their approach with Modi’s efforts to make India a developed nation and a ‘Vishwa Guru’.
His remarks came amid protests by INDIA bloc parties and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) over several issues, including opposition to the MMDR Amendment Act, alleged errors in school textbooks, alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Earlier in the day, BJD president Naveen Patnaik, addressing a party programme in Bhubaneswar, accused the BJP government in Odisha of neglecting the state’s development and prioritising party interests.
The exchanges reflect the intensifying political confrontation between the ruling BJP and opposition parties in Odisha over governance and a range of state and national issues.
