Patnaik Criticises Governor’s Budget Address, Flags Law and Order Issues

Bhubaneswar: Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday criticised the Governor’s address to the Budget Session, calling it “long on words but short on action.”

Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly after Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati delivered his customary address, Patnaik said the speech lacked concrete achievements. “What you might say is short on work, alright—you understand that,” he remarked while responding to media queries.

The LoP also expressed serious concern over the prevailing law and order situation in the state. Referring to incidents of mob lynching and violence, he alleged that the situation had worsened under the current government.

“I think you have heard me say time and again that the law and order situation under this government is in a deadly state. Nowhere else in the country do you get such reports of law and order failures and violence, except in Odisha,” he said.

The Budget Session of the Odisha Assembly commenced on Tuesday with Governor Kambhampati urging members to discharge their responsibilities with dedication and work together to ensure inclusive growth.

Beginning his address with an invocation of ‘Jai Jagannath’, the Governor paid tribute to departed members of the House, including former Odisha Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare and Padma Shri awardee Kamala Pujari.

Highlighting the government’s vision for the future, he said Odisha aims to become a ‘Viksit Odisha by 2036’, marking the centenary year of the state’s formation, and called upon all legislators to work collectively towards achieving the developmental goals.