Political storm hits Odisha in cyclone Arnab’s aftermath

Odisha's politically significant Ganjam district faces a dual crisis following the aftermath of cyclone Arnab. While the region struggles to recover from widespread flooding, allegations of a delayed government response and inadequate relief measures have sparked a political storm. The ruling BJP is under fire for its handling of the disaster, with videos surfacing of ministers and party members facing public backlash during visits to affected areas.

Opposition BJD has accused the BJP of mismanagement, pointing to posters branding BJD president Naveen Patnaik as "missing" in his Hinjili constituency, one of the worst-affected areas. The BJP has responded by questioning Patnaik's absence from his own constituency. The disaster has also reignited debates on flood control measures and river management, with opposition leaders blaming the previous BJD government for poor infrastructure maintenance.

As the administration grapples with restoring normalcy, the central focus remains on addressing the grievances of the affected population and managing the political fallout.