NEW DELHI: Odisha minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Krushna Chandra on Thursday hit back at former chief minister Naveen Patnaik over his recent 'did penance for 12 years' remark and said the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) did nothing for the state. Responding to Patnaik's statement targeting the BJP government over mango kernel deaths in Kandhamal district, Chandra said, "Naveen Patnaik said he did penance for 12 years but we (BJP) have spoiled everything. However, he didn't do anything.
" "Had he done anything, he would have been able to speak Odia properly. Even after so many years, he cannot speak Odia properly, he cannot even speak English properly. He has done nothing for Odisha," Odisha minister said.
Earlier in the day, BJD president Patnaik held the Odisha government accountable for the deaths of two women who died after consuming mango kernel gruel in Kandhamal district. According to the former chief minister, insufficient food supplies at home compelled the tribal women to consume the gruel, whilst the BJP government maintained their stance that food poisoning caused the deaths. "The state government has stopped the provision of rice for poor tribals.
Therefore, they were forced to eat mango kernel gruel. Two people have died and others are undergoing treatment. This is very sad," Patnaik stated whilst addressing party student wing members at the BJD headquarters.
He voiced his concerns about the current government's decisions, stating they had undermined the .