Odisha’s ruling party and the main Opposition party — the BJP and the BJD — are engaged in a war of words over their contribution towards attracting industries, particularly the software and semiconductor industries, to the state.

The BJD has accused the BJP of only cutting ribbons instead of doing anything for the state in the last three months since assuming power. Amid trading of charges, Odisha’s software export touched nearly $1 billion during the current fiscal year, sources in the finance department said.

The trading of charges came after chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the groundbreaking ceremony of India’s first Silicon Carbide manufacturing facility in Bhubaneswar on Friday to be set up by RIR Power Electronics Ltd, a leader in India’s semiconductor power electronics technology. The opening of this state-of-the-art facility with a total investment of approximately ₹620 crores over three years, will create over 500 new jobs across various levels.

What has irked the BJD is that the BJP has tried to project as if the facility had come to the state because of their efforts.

BJD spokesperson Dibya Sankar Mishra said: “It’s because of the last 24 years of effort that we have reached such a state. All the credit should be given to former chief minister Naveen Patnaik for successfully creating an atmosphere and building the infrastructure for semiconductor manufacturing in the state. Software leaders like IBM, Deloit, and Cognizant have set up their units. But Naveen Patnaik had never tried to take credit for it.”

BJD’s Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra tweeted: “Under the dynamic leadership of Naveen Patnaik, Odisha transformed into a thriving IT hub. From pioneering incentives for semiconductor investments to conducting global roadshows that brought industry giants to Odisha, every step was meticulously planned. Yet, the new government is busy cutting ribbons and claiming the success of these initiatives. Odisha knows the truth — real progress comes from vision and hard work, not from taking shortcuts to fame!”

Former minister Tusharkanti Behera tweeted, “Under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik, Odisha’s IT and semiconductor sectors saw unprecedented growth with MoUs signed with global giants like IBM, Cognizant, and RIR. Several projects were ready for inauguration, but the Model Code of Conduct halted their operation.

“Now, the new government is just cutting ribbons for the projects which are BJD’s achievements. Time for them to come up with original plans instead of taking credit for work done by the BJD government.”

The BJP came down heavily on the BJD and said since they are out of power they are finding it difficult to digest. State BJP president Manmohan Samal said: “What’s wrong with the BJP taking the credit? The party in power will launch the project and take the credit. What the BJD had done over the last 24 years. The state had received ₹7 lakh crore. But due to lack of action, nothing materialised.”

Industry minister Sampad Chandra Swain said, “Our government is putting emphasis on the skill development of our youths.”

BJP state vice-president Biranchi Tripathy said: “They are not able to tolerate the
BJP. The party is committed to its manifesto and trying to fulfil all the promises that it made in the manifesto, including rapid industrialisation of the state.”