Nuapada, Nov 6: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai today launched a scathing attack on BJD president and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while campaigning for BJP candidate Jay Dholakia ahead of Nuapada by-election.

Addressing a public rally, Sai accused Patnaik of failing to learn the Odia language despite governing Odisha for 24 years.

Appealing for votes in favour of the BJP candidate, Sai compared the decades-long rule of the Congress and the BJD.

“The Congress ruled for 50 years and the BJD for 24 years. You have witnessed their governance. Now, you can also see how the BJP government works,” he said.

Criticising dynastic politics, the Chhattisgarh CM said that both the Congress and BJD continue to promote family dominance, while the BJP is the only party free from such traditions.

“I will speak to you in the Chhattisgarhi language,” Sai told the crowd. “But your former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik remained in power for 24 years and still could not learn Odia or speak it publicly.”

Referring to MP Malvika Devi, who shared the stage with him, Sai remarked, “She is originally from Himachal Pradesh and married in Odisha. She learnt Odia to manage her family, but your former Chief Minister could not learn it to manage the state.”

The by-poll is scheduled to be held on November 11.