Odisha Assembly Budget Clash: Patnaik Slams BJP's 'Name-Changing' Schemes

In a heated assembly session, Opposition Leader Naveen Patnaik criticized the BJP government's first budget as merely a 'name-changing' exercise. Patnaik, who has served as Odisha's chief minister five times, alleged that 80% of the schemes were repackaged from the previous BJD administration, accusing the BJP of failing to deliver promised change.

Leader of the Opposition in Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, on Monday criticized the BJP government's first budget, calling it a 'name-changing budget.' Patnaik, who is also the president of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), made these remarks during the general discussion on the 2024-25 annual budget.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who holds the finance portfolio, presented the BJP's maiden budget on July 25. Patnaik argued that the BJP had promised a 'game-changing budget' but failed to deliver.

'The BJP had said they will present a game-changing budget, but they presented a name-changing budget,' said Patnaik, highlighting that 80% of the schemes in the new budget are merely renamed initiatives from the previous BJD administration. He accused the BJP of making hollow promises of paribartan (change).

(With inputs from agencies.)