Naveen Patnaik Condemns Alleged Vandalism of BJD Leader’s Office in Odisha

BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday condemned the alleged vandalism of the office of Satyabadi block chairperson Sunil Kumar Panda in Odisha’s Puri district, accusing the ruling BJP of allowing political violence to go unchecked.

The incident took place on the premises of the Satyabadi Block Development Officer’s (BDO) office, which also houses Panda’s office. According to BJD leaders, BJP workers allegedly entered the office and damaged furniture following Panda’s reported remarks comparing members of the ruling party to dogs. His comments, made at a meeting, have since gone viral.

In a social media post, Patnaik said the incident had shocked the people of Odisha and alleged that lawlessness was worsening in the state.

“Anarchy is crossing its limits,” the former chief minister said, strongly condemning the alleged violence inside a government office.

Questioning the state government’s response, Patnaik asked whether BJP workers could enter government offices and damage public property simply because their party was in power.

He also alleged that no exemplary action had been taken against those involved in acts of violence, claiming that Odisha was facing criticism across the country over the deteriorating law-and-order situation.

“There is no place for anarchy and violence in peaceful Odisha,” Patnaik said, adding that the people of the state would give a fitting response.

Earlier, BJD leader Sanjay Kumar Das Burma alleged that BJP workers had entered Panda’s office and damaged furniture. He further claimed that the police had neither registered a case nor arrested anyone in connection with the incident.

Following the vandalism, Panda and members of the block committee staged a sit-in protest outside the office premises, demanding the arrest of local BJP MLA Om Prakash Mishra and other individuals allegedly involved in the incident.