Bhubaneswar: BJD supremo and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Sunday condemned the alleged attack on party leader and former Dharmasala MLA Pranab Balabantaray at Madhupurgarh under Jenapur police station in Jajpur district, questioning the law and order situation in Odisha.
In a post on X, Patnaik alleged that attacks on people’s representatives were being carried out in broad daylight even in the presence of police, and questioned who was emboldening the perpetrators.
“Is the rule of law prevailing in Odisha or the rule of goons?” Patnaik asked, alleging that elected representatives were unsafe and the security of ordinary people was also at risk under the present government.
He said such incidents were being reported repeatedly in Dharmasala and other parts of the state, but alleged that the government had failed to take firm and exemplary action against those involved.
Patnaik also questioned whether the government wanted Odisha to turn into a state of unrest and alleged that criminal activities were being given patronage.
“The people of Odisha are watching everything and keeping account of everything. They will give a befitting reply to such anarchy and such misgovernance,” he said.
The remarks came after Balabantaray and his supporters were allegedly attacked during a Biju Janata Dal outreach Jan Samperk Padyatra at Madhupurgarh. The former MLA has reportedly lodged a written complaint with the Jajpur Superintendent of Police over the incident.
