Opposition BJD Deputy Chief Whip Pratap Deb’s remarks in the Odisha Assembly on Saturday sparked a political debate after he openly criticised the functioning of his own previous BJD government, of which he was once a part.
During the Question Hour, discussions were underway regarding the delay in the construction of Anganwadi centres across the state. Participating in the debate, Pratap Deb expressed concern over the slow progress and said the situation was ‘worrying’.
He suggested that involving MLAs, MPs, and Panchayats in the construction process would yield better results.
Pratap warned that if the government stuck strictly to procedural norms, it might face the same failure seen during the previous BJD regime. His remark indicated that the earlier government had failed to execute Anganwadi construction projects effectively.
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In the process, he indirectly questioned the performance of former Mission Shakti and Women & Child Development Secretary Sujata Pandian, under whom the project was handled earlier. By pointing out the lapses from the previous tenure, he suggested that the administrative approach during that time was flawed.
“The MGNREGS money that is used for the material component will be a massive failure like the previous government. So, can you please give your stance on this regard. To complete a house or to build a new house, if the money is not dovetailed, then it can never be completed,” Dev stated in the Assembly.
However, Pratap’s statement has triggered a counter-question in political circles — why did he remain silent on these issues when he was part of the BJD government?
Meanwhile, the BJD is yet to issue an official response to Pratap Deb’s allegations.
