New Delhi buzzed with political reactions on Thursday as Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra voiced sharp disappointment over President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the joint session of Parliament ahead of the Budget session. Patra, a prominent voice from Odisha, accused the central government of turning a blind eye to the ground realities plaguing the nation’s farmers.
In an exclusive conversation, Patra highlighted the dire straits of Indian agriculture. ‘We expected the President’s speech to tackle the real issues gripping the country today,’ he said. ‘Farmers are in deep crisis. Paddy is being harvested excessively, with only 8-10 kg of quality grain extracted per quintal. Markets remain shut, fertilizers are scarce, and farmers are struggling to survive.’
The BJD leader emphasized that this omission is not just a snub to the farming community but a betrayal of expectations from the ruling dispensation. As India grapples with agricultural distress, the absence of these concerns in the highest forum of the land has sparked widespread debate.
Patra didn’t stop at farm woes. He raised alarms over a chilling security threat in Odisha, where a viral social media post threatened to shoot BJD Rajya Sabha MP Subhashish Khuntia. ‘The post was public and spread rapidly,’ Patra noted. ‘Despite complaints to the state government and Odisha Police, no action has been taken even after days.’
This incident underscores growing concerns over the safety of public representatives amid rising online threats. Patra demanded swift and stringent measures to protect lawmakers and citizens alike. The Odisha government’s silence has only fueled calls for accountability.
As the Budget session unfolds, opposition voices like BJD are pushing for a more grounded approach to governance. Will the government address these pressing issues? Farmers and Odisha’s people await answers, while political tensions simmer in the capital.
Neither the Centre nor the Odisha government has responded to these allegations yet, leaving the nation watching closely for developments.