Naveen Patnaik Slams Odisha Government Over Lax Response to Cholera Outbreak

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Sunday sharply criticized the BJP-led Odisha government for what he termed as a negligent and inadequate response to the ongoing cholera outbreak affecting multiple districts across the state.

Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Patnaik expressed deep concern, stating, “The state government’s light-handedness in the face of cholera spreading in Odisha is shocking and disturbing to everyone.”

Highlighting the escalating crisis, Patnaik pointed out that cholera cases have surged in Jajpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Puri, Cuttack, and Keonjhar, and are now beginning to appear in other parts of Odisha as well.

The BJD chief expressed grief over the loss of 14 lives due to the outbreak and extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. “Cholera has endangered people’s lives. What had not been witnessed for many years is now disrupting daily life across multiple districts,” he tweeted.

Calling for urgent intervention, Patnaik urged the state administration to act decisively and deploy necessary medical and logistical resources to control the spread of the disease. He emphasized the need for strong, immediate public health measures, especially in rural and tribal areas that are particularly vulnerable.

The outbreak has sparked public concern, with several health experts and opposition leaders demanding better coordination and faster response from state agencies. As the monsoon season intensifies, there are growing fears that waterborne diseases like cholera may further strain Odisha’s public health system unless proactive steps are taken.