Naveen Slams BJP Govt over Diarrhoea Crisis, Calls for Urgent Action

Bhubaneswar: BJD President and Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, has strongly criticised the BJP-led state government for its “casual” and “irresponsible” handling of the escalating diarrhoea outbreak that has already claimed 14 lives across several districts.

Diarrhoea has pushed people’s lives into crisis, LoP Naveen said, expressing alarm over the scale of the outbreak.

“What hadn’t been witnessed for decades is now wreaking havoc in various parts of the state,” he added.

The BJD President highlighted the rapid spread of the disease in districts such as Jajpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Puri, Cuttack, and Keonjhar, warning that it is beginning to spread to other regions as well.

Naveen conveyed his deep sorrow over the deaths, stating, “The loss of 14 lives due to diarrhoea is heartbreaking. My condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased.”

Taking a dig at the state government, the BJD President remarked, “The government’s lack of seriousness in dealing with this health emergency is shocking and deeply disappointing.”

He called on the government to act immediately. “The administration must not push people’s lives into further danger. Urgent and concrete steps must be taken to contain the spread of diarrhoea and ensure public safety,” Naveen warned.

Meanwhile, the Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department has issued an urgent advisory directing all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and district-level officials to initiate immediate preventive and response measures to contain spread of diarrhoea.