Bhubaneswar, Aug 18 (IANS) The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday alleged that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s recent visit to flood-affected areas of Odisha was aimed more at publicity than at addressing affected people’s concerns.
Addressing a press conference at Shankha Bhawan, BJD spokesperson and media coordinator Lenin Mohanty said the state government had failed to ensure timely delivery of relief materials, including dry and cooked food, to flood victims.
He remarked that the Chief Minister’s visit had “come as salt to the injury” of people already suffering due to the floods.
Mohanty alleged that essential relief items, including polythene sheets, had not reached many affected people properly. He also criticised the Chief Minister for allegedly attending feasts in Delhi while several districts of Odisha were reeling under floodwaters.
He said the Chief Minister’s visit to the worst-hit Jajpur district was important given the situation. Still, he claimed it was more for political purposes than to address flood victims’ concerns.
Mohanty pointed out that BJD MLAs Pramila Mallik and Sujata Sahu were waiting to meet the Chief Minister during his visit but were allegedly ignored.
At the same time, he toured the affected areas accompanied by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.
“During the Chief Minister’s visit to the flood-affected areas, he spent less time with the flood-affected people and more time at felicitation programmes,” Mohanty said.
He added that visuals of State Higher Education Minister Suraj Suryabanshi riding a motorcycle with the Chief Minister sitting behind him were meant only for social media reels.
He alleged that riding a motorcycle without a helmet violated traffic rules.
Questioning the absence of helmets during the motorcycle ride, Mohanty asked whether the State Transport Department would take action for the alleged violation.
He termed the Chief Minister’s flood-area visit “completely devoid of substance” and alleged that the government had failed to address the immediate needs of flood victims adequately.
–IANS
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