BJD president condemns assault on former Dharmasala MLA; demands strong action and raises questions over safety of public representatives
GTNS | October 4, 2026
BHUBANESWAR: The alleged attack on former Dharmasala MLA and Biju Janata Dal leader Pranab Balabantray has triggered a fresh political confrontation in Odisha, with BJD president Naveen Patnaik questioning the state’s law-and-order situation.
Balabantray was reportedly attacked at Madhupurgarh under Jenapur police station limits in Jajpur district. The incident has now become a political flashpoint, with the Opposition demanding accountability and effective police action.
In a strongly worded reaction, Naveen Patnaik described the incident as highly condemnable and questioned how an attack on a public representative could allegedly take place even in the presence of police personnel.
The former Odisha Chief Minister raised a broader question over the security of elected representatives and ordinary citizens, asking whether the rule of law is being adequately enforced or whether criminal elements are becoming increasingly emboldened.
Naveen targets government over security concerns
Patnaik alleged that incidents of this nature have been recurring not only in Dharmasala but in different parts of Odisha. He questioned why the government had allegedly failed to demonstrate strong and exemplary action against those responsible.
The BJD president also sought to turn the incident into a larger law-and-order debate, arguing that the safety of public representatives is directly connected with the confidence of ordinary citizens in the administration.
However, the exact circumstances surrounding the assault, the identities and motives of those allegedly involved, and the subsequent police action will have to be established through the official investigation.
Political pressure mounts
The incident comes at a time when law and order remains a politically sensitive issue in Odisha. For the BJD, the attack provides another opportunity to question the BJP-led government over policing and public safety.
Patnaik’s statement also carried a warning that people are watching developments closely and will judge the government on its handling of such incidents.
The immediate focus now remains on the police investigation, identification of all persons allegedly involved and whether firm legal action follows.
For the government, the episode presents a test of whether the administration can respond swiftly enough to prevent a local criminal incident from developing into a wider political and public-security controversy.