Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Monday ridiculed the BJP-led Odisha government’s first full-fledged budget for 2025-26, claiming that the “double-engine” administration is heading in the wrong direction.

Reacting to the ₹2.90-lakh crore budget presented by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Patnaik accused the government of failing to utilize funds effectively.

“A very large sum of money from the last budget hasn’t been spent. Industrial growth is declining, and so are state finances. It seems the double-engine government is going in reverse gear,” Patnaik said.

He further alleged that Odisha’s economic growth has slowed under the BJP rule at both the state and central levels. Patnaik’s remarks come amid ongoing political tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition BJD, with both parties gearing up for upcoming electoral challenges.

Meanwhile, the BJP government has defended its budget, stating that it prioritizes infrastructure, agriculture, and industrial development to boost Odisha’s economy.