Bhubaneswar, Oct 14: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday criticised the BJP government in Odisha over rising prices of essential commodities, alleging that people across different sections of society were struggling and the future of ‘Gen Z’ was bleak.

Addressing a gathering during the BJD’s Jan Sampark Padayatra in Bhubaneswar, Patnaik accused the government led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi of incompetence and alleged that it was prioritising party growth over the development of the state.

“When the BJD’s sole agenda was the development of Odisha, the present ‘double-engine’ government’s primary objective is the development of its own party,” Patnaik said.

The former chief minister alleged that farmers, women, senior citizens, poor families and the middle class were bearing the burden of the current situation. He also accused the state government of failing to adequately address public concerns over rising prices.

“The future of Gen Z is bleak,” he said, urging BJD workers to stand alongside the people and highlight what he described as the government’s shortcomings.

Patnaik joined the party’s statewide outreach programme for the third time. The Jan Sampark Padayatra began on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, and is scheduled to continue until November 2.

During his participation on October 9, Patnaik had criticised the state government over the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026. He had also claimed that Odisha’s image as a rapidly developing state, built during the BJD’s tenure from 2000 to 2024, had suffered under the BJP government.

The allegations come amid the BJD’s ongoing efforts to connect with people and raise issues concerning prices, livelihoods and governance.

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