BJD Steps up Attack on BJP over Special Category Status Promise to Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal on Saturday stepped up its attack on the BJP, questioning its commitment to the decade-old promise of securing Special Category Status (SCS) for Odisha.

Speaking at a press conference, BJD MP Dr. Sasmit Patra said the BJP had assured in 2014 that it would strive to obtain the tag for the state, but little progress has been made.

The Odisha BJP in 2014 promised that it would strive for Special Category Status. It has been two years since they came to power, but they have not moved an inch on the issue, he alleged.

The BJD MP cited recent disclosures in Parliament indicating that the Union Government has no proposal under consideration. He said this casts serious doubt on the BJP’s claim of providing “double-engine” governance.

“This raises a big question on the double-engine government, which said that if it came to power, it would work towards Special Category Status for Odisha,” he said.

The MP urged the BJP government led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to pass a Cabinet resolution formally seeking the status from the Centre on behalf of the people.

“The demand for Special Category Status is not mere politics; it is intrinsically linked to Odisha’s long-standing developmental and economic concerns,” Patra said.

He maintained that the issue reflects structural economic challenges and requires urgent political and administrative intervention.

Odisha’s claim is further backed by socio-economic indicators. Data from the NITI Aayog Multidimensional Poverty Index and the State Economic Survey 2024–25 peg the poverty rate at 15.68 per cent. While this marks an improvement, concerns such as malnutrition, limited access to clean cooking fuel, and sanitation gaps continue to hinder development outcomes. Scheduled Tribes account for 22.8 per cent of the population, while Scheduled Castes constitute around 17 per cent, he noted.

Odisha’s recurring exposure to natural disasters, particularly cyclones, puts sustained pressure on the state’s finances and strengthens the case for Special Category Status, he added.