BJD Hits Out at BJP: Odisha’s Economy In Reverse Gear
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Odisha, accusing it of derailing the state’s growth trajectory despite promises of “Double Engine” development.
According to BJD leaders, Odisha’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth has slowed significantly under BJP rule.
While the state recorded a peak growth of 16% in 2022–23 and 9.6% in BJD’s final year, the BJP’s first two years saw growth dip to 7.2% and 7.9% respectively—well below neighbouring states such as Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and West Bengal, which achieved 14–16% growth.
The party also flagged alarming fiscal trends, claiming that state debt has surged by Rs 91,000 crore in just two BJP budgets. Fiscal deficit widened from 1.7% to 3.5% of GSDP, while primary deficit rose from 1.1% to 2.9%, raising concerns about long-term stability.
Adding to the criticism, Odisha’s national rankings have slipped.
The state fell from 11th to 15th in NITI Aayog’s Export Index between 2022 and 2024, and from 6th to 20th in Startup Rankings between 2022 and 2025.
The BJD urged the BJP government to adopt people‑centric policies and restore the inclusive growth trajectory that Odisha witnessed during its tenure.
