Nuapada, Nov 7: BJP national spokesperson and Puri MP Sambit Patra on Friday strongly criticized former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik’s use of terms like “betrayer” and “candidate theft” during the Nuapada by-election campaign, calling them deeply insensitive and unacceptable.

Addressing a press conference in Nuapada, Dr. Patra said such language disrespects the late Rajendra Dholakia and his grieving family.

Insensitive Language Sparks Outrage

Patra emphasized that individuals are not commodities to be stolen, stating, “A person is a living soul, not an object. Such remarks are not only undignified but also hurtful to the family of a departed leader.” He accused the BJD president of politicizing the legacy of Rajendra Dholakia, who passed away while battling serious health issues.

Also Read: “Jay Will Listen to You”: CM Majhi’s Promise to Nuapada Voters

Allegations of Neglect and Political Exploitation

Patra alleged that during Rajendra Dholakia’s critical illness, no BJD leader offered support or assistance. Even when his son Jay Dholakia sought financial help for a kidney transplant, the party remained unresponsive. “Jay was ready to donate his kidney, but his father passed away before the procedure. Not a single BJD leader reached out or helped with the air ambulance,” Patra claimed.

The BJP Leader further criticized the BJD for turning the condolence meeting into a political event and urged the party to show compassion rather than exploit grief for electoral gains.

Also Read: Vishnu Deo Sai Accuses BJD, Congress of Exploiting Odisha Voters for Electoral Gains

Appeal to Voters and Support for BJP Candidate

Patra appealed to Nuapada voters to support BJP candidate Jay Dholakia, son of the late MLA, and ensure his victory under the lotus symbol. He stated that the people of Nuapada are now aligned with the development vision of the BJP-led double-engine government.

The press conference was attended by Kalpana Dholakia (wife of Rajendra Dholakia), Atul Dholakia (his brother), BJP district president Kamalesh Dixit, state spokespersons Anil Biswal and Manas Ranjan Bakshi, among others.