BJD MP Sasmit Patra Accuses BJP of Political Opportunism in Odisha

BJD MP Sasmit Patra criticized the BJP-led Odisha government for allegedly undermining the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojna. He accused BJP of political opportunism and urged them to prioritize the welfare of Odisha's 4.5 crore people.

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Sumit Kumar
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Sasmit Patra

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sasmit Patra launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Odisha, accusing it of politicizing welfare schemes. Speaking on Monday, Patra defended the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojna (BSKY), a flagship healthcare initiative implemented by former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, and accused the BJP of undermining the program for political gain.

"The people of Odisha are fully aware of the benefits and importance of the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojna," Patra said. He alleged that during the 2024 elections, the BJP had criticized the program and threatened to discontinue it if they came to power. However, seven months into their tenure in Odisha, the BJP government has yet to act on those claims.

"If they have the guts, let them stop this program. The people of Odisha will respond decisively," he challenged, emphasizing the program's impact on the welfare of Odisha’s 4.5 crore population.

Patra accused the BJP of using the Ayushman Bharat Yojana as a tool for political opportunism, calling their approach a bid to score "political brownie points." He highlighted that none of Naveen Patnaik’s schemes had ever been linked to political gains, focusing solely on the state's welfare.