Naveen comes to home turf after two years

Brahmapur: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo Naveen Patnaik on Saturday visited cyclone Arnab and subsequent flood-ravaged areas of Ganjam district, returning to his home turf after nearly two years, and interacted with distressed farmers, women and other affected people to assess the extent of devastation and their rehabilitation needs.

At several places, Naveen was greeted by large crowds raising slogans of ‘Naveen Patnaik Zindabad’ and performing Hulahuli. The visit assumed political significance as Hinjili has been his Assembly constituency for six consecutive terms. During his interaction, several farmers and women from Hinjili constituency broke down while narrating their plight. They alleged that neither the State government nor the local administration had adequately come forward to help them even after their houses remained submerged for nearly 48 hours following the disaster.

The affected families claimed that household belongings had been washed away and standing crops, including paddy, mung, black gram and cauliflower, had been destroyed. Many alleged that they were yet to receive any relief assistance. Expressing their anguish, some victims reportedly told Naveen that they wanted him back as chief minister.

Naveen’s visit came amid mounting criticism from the BJP and the Congress over his delayed personal visit to Ganjam, particularly Hinjili. Posters carrying the slogan ‘Naveen Missing’ had reportedly appeared in the constituency during the post-cyclone crisis, questioning his absence, but were subsequently removed. Similarly, posters bearing the slogan ‘Naveen Go Back’ were spotted near the Rushikulya bridge in Hinjili ahead of his visit, though these too were later wiped out.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sunil Mohan Patnaik

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