Two Patnaik families looted Odisha: Former Min

BHUBANESWAR: “Two Patnaik families have looted the State within their rulling the State for more than three decades,” said former Union Minister Bhajaman Behera while addressing the dalit people at a seminar on ‘Unity: Key word in Establishing of Social Justice’ organised by the Adimabasi Surakhya Parishad (ASP), Odisha with the help of Bharatiya Buddha Mahasabha here on Sunday. 

Behera in his speech said the two families- Biju Patnaik and Janaki Ballabh Patnaik- have destroyed the peace of the State. The people of the State are living in poor condition and the crime against dalits, tribals and women have been increased within the period of the Congress and BJD regime led by two Patnaik families, he added.

“The two families have displaced many dalits and tribals during their rulling period, but now the poor dalits, tribals and minorities would displace the two families from political power,” said Behera, adding, “We won’t bear any type of atrocities on dalits and tribals. We will fight tooth and nail to get social justice by bringing a new Government in the State.”

Leaders of various dalit organisations and tribal bodies participated in the discussion. All participants emphasised on social justice and a movement to stop atrocities against them. The leaders agreed to form a council where the dalit and tribal organisations would come up unitedly with their members to work for political awakening in the State.