Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly Naveen Patnaik on Saturday wrote a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, expressing grave concern over the state’s crumbling law and order situation.
In his letter to the CM, Patnaik claimed that Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain was blocked, intimidated, and physically barred from participating in the Tigiria Panchayat Samiti Meeting by “BJP-backed miscreants.” He characterized the incident as a “malicious assault” on India’s core democratic values.
“I am writing to you with a sense of deep concern and grave anxiety regarding the rapidly deteriorating law and order situation in our state. It has been brought to my attention through distressing ground reports – echoed widely in public forums and media reports regarding high-handedness in Tigiria Block under Athagarh Assembly Constituency, where the MLA Shri Ranendra Pratap Swain was violently blocked, intimidated, and physically prevented by BJP-backed miscreants (gundas) while he was on his way to attend the Tigiria Panchayat Samiti Meeting yesterday on 22.05.2026,” Patnaik said in his correspondence.
He cautioned that when “partisan hooliganism” compromises the safety of elected representatives, the security of regular citizens is inevitably put at risk.
“Such an act is not merely a localized political clash; it is a direct, malicious assault on our democratic framework. If the very leaders chosen by the public are not safe from partisan hooliganism while performing their constitutional responsibilities, the safety of the common citizen becomes highly precarious. Therefore, I urgently request your immediate intervention for stringent action against the culprits and to take adequate measures to ensure safety and security of every citizen of Odisha,” the letter said.
While posting a copy of the letter on X, Patnaik further remarked that when elected officials face street-level thuggery while discharging their constitutional duties, it casts a serious shadow of doubt over the safety of the general public.
“Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri @MohanMOdisha, intervene immediately in this matter, take strict action against the miscreants, and ensure the safety of Odisha’s general public,” he said.
