Kolkata, New Delhi, INDIA. New York, USA.
Business To Business, Bhubaneshwar, 24th July, 2026: Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday criticised the BJP government for claiming credit for the state's fifth-place ranking in NITI Aayog's latest Investment Friendliness Index (IFI), asserting that the achievement stemmed from policies and reforms implemented during the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government.
In a post on social media, Patnaik said he was "happy that Odisha BJP is chest-thumping the achievement of Biju Janata Dal as its own." He also expressed concern over what he described as the BJP government's "mismanagement" of the state's finances.
His remarks came after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi welcomed Odisha's ranking in the Investment Friendliness Index, saying it reflected his government's commitment to fostering a conducive business environment and promoting inclusive industrial development.
The exchange underscores the political contest over credit for Odisha's economic performance, with both the ruling BJP and the opposition BJD attributing the state's investment-friendly standing to their respective governance approaches.