Sambalpur: High Court Bench Debate Intensifies, Politics Heats Up, BJP Blames BJD, Congress Questions BJP’s ‘Double Engine’ Governance
Sambalpur: The political landscape in Sambalpur is heating up, with intense debate over the establishment of a High Court Bench in the region. Despite Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s clarification of the situation in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, the controversy continues. Political parties such as the BJP, BJD, and Congress are currently at odds, with each blaming the other for the delay in forming the bench.
BJP’s Accusations Against BJD
During a press conference in Sambalpur, senior BJP leader Dr. Pramod Rath and state panelist Manas Bakshi criticized the BJD government for failing to take concrete steps to establish a High Court Bench in Western Odisha over the last 24 years. They accused the state government of deceiving the people by simply writing letters to the central government without taking any significant action. They claim that the BJD government arrested lawyers leading the protests in Sambalpur in order to suppress the growing movement.
“The Chief Minister’s response in the Assembly today was solely based on Supreme Court orders. Instead of addressing the real issue, he defended the government’s inaction by claiming that the case is being handled by the courts,” Dr. Rath stated. He also claimed that opposition parties are attempting to discredit the BJP by spreading false and misleading information in the media.
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Congress Slams Both BJP and BJD
Sureshwar Mishra, former district president of the Congress, expressed his displeasure with the Chief Minister’s statements in a separate press conference, claiming that they have enraged the people of Western and Southern Odisha. He emphasized the need for a High Court Bench in the state and chastised the government for failing to take concrete steps despite prior commitments.
Mishra questioned the BJP’s ‘double engine’ government at both the national and state levels, asking why there has been no progress on the High Court Bench issue despite their promises. He urged the state government to take immediate action by passing a Cabinet resolution and determining a suitable location for the bench. He also urged the BJP to keep its promises and stop stifling the people’s legitimate demands.
BJD Defends Its Position
In response to the accusations, BJD district president Rohit Pujari reminded everyone that Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan promised to establish a High Court Bench in Sambalpur if the BJP won power. Despite Odisha voters electing 20 MPs and 78 MLAs from the BJP, the promise remains unfulfilled. Pujari accused the BJP of hiding behind the Supreme Court’s orders, revealing their double standards.
As the political debate continues, the people of Sambalpur and the surrounding areas are left waiting for a decision on the long-standing demand for a High Court Bench.
