Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on his predecessor, Naveen Patnaik, accusing him of “ruining” the state during the 24-year rule of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

Speaking at a gathering in Kargil Basti, Bhubaneswar, on the occasion of the 109th birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, Majhi criticized Patnaik, who currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly. Majhi alleged that Patnaik governed Odisha with the help of bureaucrats, sidelining elected representatives, and failing to uphold the pride of the Odia people.

“Whenever there is a danger to ‘Odia Asmita’ (pride), a change of government is inevitable. That is exactly what happened to him,” Majhi remarked, referring to the recent political shift in the state.

The scathing remarks come at a time when the political climate in Odisha remains charged, with the BJP government looking to assert its position following the long reign of the BJD.