Bhubaneswar, Apr 26: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik always asserts that he believes in deeds and not in mere words. However, his "double standard policy" on key issues has been exposed by none other than senior BJD leader and State's Cabinet Minister Tukuni Sahu.

On the one hand, the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government announced to upgrade the Padampur sub-division to a separate district, Cabinet Minister Tukuni Sahu said she had opposed the formation of Padampur district and even decided to resign on the issue.

While speaking at a felicitation function of senior citizens in Titlagarh of Balangir district, Minister Sahu said, “Had a new district been announced, I would have been the first person to resign. I had made up my mind that I would go straight to the Chief Minister to tender my resignation if Padampur was declared a district, instead of Titilagarh. But the Chief Minister did not let me do that. ”

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Minister Sahu also assured the people that Titilagarh would be at the top of the list of new districts in the State.
Sahu's statement triggered a huge spark among the people of Padampur area. People are expressing their anger against the BJD government as its conspiracy has been exposed.

The coordinator of Padampur Joint Action Committee, Ajit Satpathy said, "The Chief Minister lied to get votes in the Padampur by-election. The court order was just an excuse. There was a statutory conspiracy to prevent Padampur from being made a district. It is like salt rubbed into wounds of the people of Padampur."

"BJD candidate, Barsa Singh Bariha, won the Padampur by-election over the CM's promise to make Padampur a separate district. Now, I appeal to Barsha to return the BJD ticket meant for the upcoming elections and stand with the people of Padampur," said Congress leader Muzafar Hussain.

In February 2023, the Chief Minister had announced that Padampur sub-division in Bargarh district would be upgraded to a separate district within the next one year. Earlier, he had assured to create Padampur district in the run-up to the Padampur by-election. But, Padampur is yet to get the district status as promised by the Chief Minister.

The Assembly and Lok Sabha elections will be held simultaneously in Odisha in four phases from May 13 to June 1.

Results for the Assembly and the Lok Sabha polls will be declared on June 4.

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