TNI Bureau: BJP State General Secretary Biranchi Narayan Tripathy has accused the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of indulging in political theatrics to safeguard its existence while misleading the people of Odisha on farmers’ issues. He alleged that despite ruling the state for 24 years, the BJD failed to take meaningful steps for farmers and is now attempting to create confusion by raising procurement-related concerns.

Tripathy said the BJP government is committed to farmers’ welfare and has significantly increased paddy procurement. While 58 lakh metric tonnes of paddy were procured during the 2023–24 financial year under the previous BJD government, he claimed that the BJP government procured 92 lakh metric tonnes from around 16.6 lakh farmers in 2024–25, transferring nearly ₹27,000 crore to farmers. He added that the government has fulfilled its promise of procuring paddy at ₹3,100 per quintal, purchasing nearly one-and-a-half times more paddy than the previous regime.

He also accused BJD legislators of deliberately disrupting proceedings in the Assembly and avoiding debates. According to Tripathy, the BJP government is ready to respond to all issues in the House, but the opposition is reluctant to participate in constructive discussions.

Tripathy questioned the BJD’s track record on farmer welfare schemes, alleging that benefits under the KALIA scheme were reduced over time and many farmers were deprived of central assistance due to incomplete beneficiary lists. He further criticized the previous government for not establishing adequate agricultural education infrastructure.

He highlighted that the present BJP government has announced new agricultural colleges in Balangir and Mayurbhanj, along with plans for a veterinary college at Chipilima and a fisheries college in Sonepur.

Tripathy also rejected BJD’s criticism on law and order, stating that strict action has been taken against criminals in the past 20 months and measures have been strengthened to prevent crimes against women.

He maintained that the BJP government remains dedicated to the welfare of farmers, the poor and women, and challenged the BJD to raise these issues in the Assembly, asserting that the people of Odisha will ultimately judge the performance of both parties.