Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders for using Lord Jagannath for politics by distorting facts.
“The BJD government has done which none dared to do in the past 500 years. But BJP leaders from Odisha had conspired at Delhi to stop the Srimandir Parikrama project. Those who are doing politics over Lord Jagannath have already lost,” said senior BJD leader Bhrugu Baxipatra addressing a presser here today.
Baxipatra pointed out that BJP leaders were Ministers in the BJD-BJP coalition government from 2000 to 2009.
Why didn’t they pressurise the government then to open the Ratna Bhandar? asked Baxipatra, BJD’s MP candidate from Berhampur.
“Most importantly, Srimandir’s Ratna Bhandar will be opened during Rath Yatra this year. The government has made all arrangements for this,” he informed.
The senior BJD leader asserted that again BJD will form the government in the State with a massive mandate.
“BJP leaders are unable to digest this. Therefore, the party’s central leaders are frequently visiting Odisha and are giving different statements to confuse the people. The BJP’s central leadership have no knowledge on Odisha. Whatever Odisha leaders are feeding them they are stating that in the meetings,” Baxipatra said.
Over the last few days, senior BJP leaders have been targeting the State government over Srimandir Ratna Bhandar’s lost key issue.