Naveen Patnaik criticizes Odisha BJP government as incompetent

Naveen Patnaik, president of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Odisha of incompetence. Speaking at a public meeting in the North Bhubaneswar assembly constituency, the former chief minister claimed the ruling party’s ‘double-engine’ administration has tarnished the state’s image through various failures.

Patnaik, who led the state from 2000 to 2024, argued that the current government has failed to maintain the development progress achieved during his tenure. He criticized the administration for allegedly protecting the interests of mine owners over the rights of the people.

A central point of contention is the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026. The BJD opposes this legislation, alleging it would deprive Odisha of approximately Rs 1 lakh crore in revenue from levies on mine owners. The party has been demanding a repeal of the act and is conducting a mass outreach programme, the ‘Jan Sampark Pada Yatra’, to raise public awareness regarding these issues.