BJD Slams BJP for Personal Attacks on Naveen Over CJP Leaders' Release

The Biju Janata Dal has condemned what it described as personal attacks on former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik after the Bharatiya Janata Party criticised his demand for the release of two Cockroach Janata Party leaders.

The BJD’s response came amid a major political controversy over Patnaik’s support for Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who are in detention.

At a press conference on Wednesday (October 21, 2026), BJD vice president Sanjay Kumar Dasburma said the detention of the two CJP leaders had raised serious questions about democratic rights and freedom of expression.

“An impartial investigation is essential to establish the truth in this matter,” Dasburma said.

He added that “in a democracy, the rule of law and the protection of citizens’ rights must remain paramount.”

BJP attacks Patnaik’s position

The controversy followed Patnaik’s demand on Tuesday (October 20) for a review of the judicial custody of the two CJP leaders and their release.

Soon after that demand, the Odisha unit of the BJP posted a reaction on ‘X’ accusing Patnaik of attempting to create a situation similar to Bangladesh in the country.

“Naveen wants to create a situation like Bangladesh in the country to shine his own politics!” the BJP said.

BJP State President Manmohan Samal also said that the BJD leadership had become directionless and was clueless about its positioning in politics.

The BJD objected to the nature of the criticism and said the ruling party could disagree with Patnaik’s views but should respond with reason and facts rather than personal attacks.

“The ruling party has every right to disagree with the views expressed by a Leader of the Opposition,” Dasburma said.

“However, resorting to personal attacks instead of responding with reason and facts is entirely unacceptable,” he said.

BJD cites detention and constitutional rights

Patnaik had written on ‘X’ that “Hoisting the national flag, even in a prohibited area, should not warrant such prolonged detention.”

He also said that “the judiciary and the executive must rise to the occasion to ensure that the youth of this country do not lose faith in the rule of law and constitutional rights.”

The BJD said Samal’s criticism of Patnaik over his position on the Special Intensive Revision issue raised questions about political decorum and democratic values.

Dasburma said disagreement with a political leader’s position should not be turned into a question of patriotism.

“However, no political party has an exclusive right to issue certificates of patriotism,” he maintained.

“If there is disagreement with a leader’s views, the response should be based on reason and facts,” Dasburma said.

He added, “Targeting the Opposition under the guise of nationalism merely for political gain must stop.”

BJP raises regime-change and SIR allegations

In another social media post, the State BJP directly addressed Patnaik and referred to his time as Odisha’s Chief Minister.

“You [Naveen Patnaik] were the CM of Odisha for 24 years and have now been out of power for barely 24 months, and have already resorted to regime-change acts?” the BJP said.

The party also alleged that Patnaik’s support for “anarchists and foreign-funded anti-India forces wanting a Bangladeshi-style violent regime change” was linked to his history of settling “thousands of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants into the State.”

The BJP further alleged that these immigrants had been allowed to become voters and linked the allegation to Patnaik’s opposition to the SIR process.

“You not only allowed them to become voters, but now you are also opposing the SIR process,” the party said.

The BJP said the people of Odisha had always been peace-loving and had respected the sovereignty of India.

“The sovereignty of our nation is far more important than temporary political public relation,” it said.

BJD questions the BJP’s response

Dasburma questioned whether the Opposition was expected to agree with everything said by the government.

“Do you want the Opposition to agree with everything the government says?” he asked.

“If not, why resort to such language whenever the Opposition expresses a different opinion?” he said.

“In a democracy, asking questions is not a crime; it is a responsibility,” Dasburma said.

He also told the BJP that before calling Patnaik directionless, the State government should provide clear answers to the people about its own direction and policies.

“The interests of the nation and the dignity of the Constitution are equally important to everyone,” he said.