Argus News - Nuapada Bypoll: Chhattisgarh CM Targets Naveen Patnaik Over Odia Language Skills

Nuapada, Nov 6: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stirred political debate on Thursday during a campaign rally in Nuapada, where he took a sharp dig at Odisha’s former Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik for his inability to speak Odia fluently, despite having served in office for 24 years.

Addressing a large public gathering in support of BJP candidate Jay Dholakia at Panchampur village under Nuapada block, Chhattisgarh CM Sai contrasted Naveen Patnaik’s linguistic disconnect with Kalahandi MP Malavika Devi, who, despite being originally from Himachal Pradesh, has learned Odia after marrying into the state.

“Malavika Devi Ji learned Odia to run her household, but your former CM couldn’t learn it in 24 years,” Sai said.

The rally, part of the Nuapada by-election campaign, saw Sai urging voters to elect Jay Dholakia by voting for the lotus symbol. He criticized both Congress and BJD, accusing them of misleading the public and failing to deliver development.

“Congress ruled the Centre for 50 years and lost public trust due to flawed policies,” he noted.

Also Read: Basant Panda Slams Naveen Patnaik, Predicts BJP's Victory in Nuapada

Sai also recalled a past visit to Rourkela, where he claimed Patnaik struggled to read even a few lines in Odia. “How can someone lead a state without understanding its language?” he questioned.

Joining the campaign, MP Malavika Devi delivered her speech in Odia, appealing to voters to support BJP for continued development. She highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a developed India and cited a Rs1,100 crore allocation for Nuapada’s growth under Odisha CM Mohan Majhi’s leadership.

The remarks triggered discussions on linguistic identity, leadership credibility, and regional representation as Odisha heads into a crucial by-election.

Notably, the November 11 Nuapada bypoll was necessitated by the demise of former BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia. A total of 14 candidates are contesting the bypoll, including BJP’s Jay Dholakia, BJD nominee Snehangini Chhuria, and Congress candidate Ghasiram Majhi.