The Crossbill News Desk
The Congress on Monday (March 10) hit out at the BJP over its Odisha MLA Jayanarayan Mishra's recent statement that the merger of Koshala with Odisha was a "historical mistake."
The party also questioned the silence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on the controversy.
Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, took to X to criticize Pradhan, sharing a media report that alleged Mishra did not stand up when Odisha’s state song, Bande Utkal Janani, was played at an event.
"Dear Dharmendra Pradhan ji, why your silence on the statements and actions of your Sambalpur colleague who did not stand up when the Odisha state song Bande Utkal Janani was sung?" Ramesh asked.
Mishra, a senior BJP MLA from Sambalpur, made the controversial remark on Saturday while speaking at a government event where financial aid was distributed under the Subhadra Yojana.
He claimed that Odisha was formed in 1936 with the merger of three regions—Utkal (coastal Odisha), Kalinga (southern Odisha), and Koshala (western Odisha)—but argued that including Koshala was a "mistake" as the region had been neglected ever since.
"The merger of Koshala during the formation of Odisha was a mistake. We have been neglected," news agency PTI quoted Mishra as saying.
"People of this region participated in the movement for merger with Odisha. But that was our biggest mistake," Mishra added.
The remarks have sparked political outrage, with the Congress accusing the BJP of disrespecting Odisha’s history and identity while questioning the party’s commitment to the state’s integrity.
However, Dharmendra Pradhan has yet to respond to the controversy.
The party also questioned the silence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on the controversy.
Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, took to X to criticize Pradhan, sharing a media report that alleged Mishra did not stand up when Odisha’s state song, Bande Utkal Janani, was played at an event.
"Dear Dharmendra Pradhan ji, why your silence on the statements and actions of your Sambalpur colleague who did not stand up when the Odisha state song Bande Utkal Janani was sung?" Ramesh asked.
Dear @dpradhanbjp ji, why your silence on the statements and actions of your Sambalpur colleague who did not stand up when the Odisha state song Bande Utkal Janani was sung?https://t.co/MMfFHPe2UI
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 10, 2025
Mishra, a senior BJP MLA from Sambalpur, made the controversial remark on Saturday while speaking at a government event where financial aid was distributed under the Subhadra Yojana.
He claimed that Odisha was formed in 1936 with the merger of three regions—Utkal (coastal Odisha), Kalinga (southern Odisha), and Koshala (western Odisha)—but argued that including Koshala was a "mistake" as the region had been neglected ever since.
"The merger of Koshala during the formation of Odisha was a mistake. We have been neglected," news agency PTI quoted Mishra as saying.
"People of this region participated in the movement for merger with Odisha. But that was our biggest mistake," Mishra added.
The remarks have sparked political outrage, with the Congress accusing the BJP of disrespecting Odisha’s history and identity while questioning the party’s commitment to the state’s integrity.
However, Dharmendra Pradhan has yet to respond to the controversy.
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