President Droupadi Murmu’s address to Parliament on the eve of the Budget session has ignited controversy, with BJD leader Sasmit Patra decrying the omission of farmers’ mounting challenges. The Rajya Sabha MP from Odisha labeled the speech ‘deeply disappointing,’ appealing to the Centre for a reality check on rural distress.
Detailing the crisis, Patra noted excessive paddy procurement inefficiencies, where a quintal yields just 8-10 kg of viable grain. ‘Add to that shuttered markets and unavailable fertilizers, and you have a recipe for farmer despair,’ he said in an IANS interview. BJD had hoped for acknowledgment and remedies in the presidential remarks.
This gap highlights a perceived disconnect between Delhi’s corridors and India’s farmlands, where livelihoods hang by a thread. Patra’s party, a key regional player, sees this as symptomatic of broader governance failures.
On another front, Patra flagged a grave security breach in Odisha. A widely circulated social media threat targeted BJD MP Subhashish Khuntia, promising violence. Despite formal complaints, Odisha authorities have shown no progress. ‘Swift action is non-negotiable for protecting our democracy,’ Patra stressed.
The lack of response from state police and the government raises red flags about threat management protocols. In politically charged Odisha, such incidents could escalate tensions.
Patra’s interventions blend national and local narratives, positioning BJD as a vigilant opposition. As the session progresses, expect heated exchanges on agriculture reforms and law enforcement.
With no official rebuttals from the Centre or Odisha dispensation, the ball is in their court. The coming days will reveal if these criticisms prompt policy pivots or deepen divides.