BJD, Cong accuse BJP of “betraying” Odisha on special category issue

Bhubaneswar, February 18 (PTI) The ruling BJD and opposition Congress Saturday accused BJP of “betraying” the people of Odisha after Union Finance Minister Nirmal Sitharaman made it clear that the Centre has no plans to accord special category status to the coastal state.

BJD, which has been demanding the status for the state, accused the BJP of “betraying” its people as the saffron party backtracked from its promises made during the elections.

“The union finance minister has unfortunately exposed BJP’s true colours. Though BJP had in its election manifesto promised to ensure special category status for Odisha, its leader did not work in that line. It has betrayed the people of Odisha,” BJD vice-president and lawmaker Debi Prasad Mishra told PTI.