By Sunil Jena, Editor-in-Chief, The Politics Odia
Bhubaneswar: Odisha politics has entered a new phase of confrontation after a fresh dispute between the ruling and opposition parties. The controversy began during a public meeting for the Nuapada by-election, where Chief Minister Mohan Majhi made a strong remark about BJD leader and former IAS officer VK Pandian. The statement included certain derogatory words, which immediately triggered political reactions.
Following this, BJD youth leader Manmath Routray posted a video on social media in which he used objectionable language against the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister. The video went viral, and the BJP IT Cell quickly filed an official complaint with the police. Based on this complaint, the police registered a case and added several legal sections against Manmath.
The situation did not end there. Today, Manmath Routray, accompanied by other BJD leaders, reached the Capital Police Station in Bhubaneswar and filed a complaint against Chief Minister Mohan Majhi. They allege that the CM used derogatory words against VK Pandian during the election meeting. According to them, the remark was an insult not only to Pandian but to everyone with that surname.
This argument has now escalated into a major political debate. Both parties are accusing each other of lowering political standards and using inappropriate language in public discourse. What began as a remark during a campaign has now transformed into FIRs, counter-FIRs, social media videos, and heated press statements.
Odisha’s political climate is clearly tense. With by-elections underway, both parties are trying to protect their image while attacking the other side. In this environment, even a single word spoken from the stage becomes a topic of statewide discussion and legal action.
The larger question remains:
Is this the level of political dialogue that citizens expect?
Do personal remarks help voters, or do they divert attention from real issues?
As Odisha watches these developments closely, it is clear that the battle between the BJD and BJP is no longer limited to policies or governance. It has now entered the territory of personal statements, legal complaints, and public confrontations.
The coming days will show how this political rivalry evolves and whether the focus returns to issues that matter to the people of the state.
