Bhubaneswar, April 13: A day after numerous Ollywood actors congregated at Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's residence in Bhubaneswar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a scathing critique at the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for summoning cine-stars ahead of the upcoming elections. 

Speaking at a press briefing in Bhubaneswar, BJP leader and Ollywood actress Pinky Pradhan accused the ruling BJD of appearing unsettled following the defection of prominent celebrities like Anubhav Mohanty, Sidhant Mohapatra, and Arindam Roy to the BJP.

Alleging that the ruling party fears defeat in the impending elections, Pradhan claimed that it orchestrated a gathering of actors, comedians, and singers from the Odia film industry to meet the Chief Minister and V K Pandian at Naveen Niwas.

With the absence of notable star campaigners within the regional party, Pradhan asserted that the BJD intends to enlist young stars to bolster its campaign efforts.

Mocking the BJD's earlier assertion that party supremo Naveen Patnaik was its sole star campaigner, Pradhan questioned the sudden enlistment of other Ollywood stars for campaigning.

Accusing the BJD of employing a "use and throw" policy towards artists, the state BJP's cultural cell convenor contended that the BJD government had failed to prioritize the welfare of artists, resulting in a decline in the Odia film industry during Naveen's tenure.

Pradhan highlighted disparities in support for artists during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that while artists in other states received monthly allowances of Rs 4,500, those in Odisha received a meager Rs 2,000. She credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for extending support to artists during challenging times.

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