Controversy Erupts as BJP MLA Santosh Khatua Faces Backlash for Remarks Against BJD Leader

Political Tensions Rise in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: A controversy has erupted involving BJP MLA Santosh Khatua, who has been accused of making offensive comments about a prominent BJD leader, leading to widespread criticism and calls for an apology from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the BJP.

Lekhashree Samantasinghar, a senior spokesperson for the BJD, has even reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi via social media, attaching a letter to her post.

Khatua, representing the Nilgiri assembly constituency in Balasore, allegedly made disparaging remarks regarding Samantasinghar's character during interviews with various television channels.

In her post, Samantasinghar addressed Modi directly, stating, "Dear Modi Ji @narendramodi, Please listen to your MLA from Odisha talking about women politicians. This is true blood BJP neta giving true salute to women."

She urged Modi to have his team translate Khatua's comments, questioning whether he would still advocate for women's respect after hearing them.

Samantasinghar emphasized that the BJP's commitment to women's issues would ring hollow if no action was taken against such misogynistic behavior from elected officials.

The controversy traces back to a press conference held by Samantasinghar, where she accused Khatua of being involved in the killing of a tusker and the theft of its tusks in the Nilgiri area on June 15, labeling him a "thief" and a "dacoit."

In what seemed to be a retaliatory response, Khatua's comments about Samantasinghar's character sparked outrage across the state, with many condemning his language.

Efforts to reach Khatua for comment were unsuccessful, as his phone was turned off following the interview.

The backlash intensified as Khatua's remarks circulated on social media, prompting significant public outrage.

During a press conference, Pramila Mallik, the Opposition chief whip in the Odisha Assembly and a senior BJD leader, condemned Khatua's statements, accusing the BJP of hindering women's political participation.

"Khatua has used extremely hateful, ugly, insulting and low-quality language towards Dr. Lekhashree Samantasinghar. Such language is unacceptable in a civilized society," Mallik stated.

She questioned whether the BJP, which claims to be a progressive party, has trained its MLAs to speak disparagingly about women.

Mallik insisted that Khatua's comments were not just personal attacks but an insult to all women, demanding a public apology from both Khatua and the BJP.

In response, BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal defended Khatua, asserting that he is being wrongfully implicated in the tusker poaching case.

"Nilgiri MLA is being falsely dragged into the elephant killing case. The BJD has mastered the art of making baseless allegations," Biswal claimed.

He noted that four individuals have already been arrested in connection with the elephant deaths at Kuldiha Sanctuary, describing them as habitual offenders.

"Even during the BJD's rule, elephants were killed. This is merely a conspiracy to tarnish the reputation of BJP legislators," he alleged.