BJD delegation urges Odisha Guv to act against BJP MLA for remarks on Gandhi, women
Bhubaneswar, Dec 12
A delegation of the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD), on Friday, met the Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, seeking action against BJP Nilagiri MLA Santosh Khatua over his controversial remarks against Mahatma Gandhi in the House during the just-concluded Winter session of the state Assembly, as well as his alleged indecent behaviour toward women.
The BJD delegation, in its memorandum submitted to the Governor, also drew his attention to the alleged objectionable remarks made by Khatua against senior BJD leader Lekha Samantsinghar.
In the memorandum, Samantsinghar alleged that Khatua abused her before the media on July 2, 2025, in response to her press conference regarding the Nilagiri MLA's involvement in a wildlife poaching incident.
Later, Samantsinghar and the BJD raised the issue at different forums, including the police and the State Commission for Women, seeking action against Khatua for his indecent remarks, but to no avail.
The opposition BJD has also submitted a petition against Khatua to the Odisha Assembly Speaker, Surama Padhy, requesting her to refer the matter to the Ethics Committee.
"But unfortunately, all the above actions have fallen into deaf ears as of now since neither the State government, nor the Bharatiya Janata Party; neither the police nor the women's Commissions have taken any steps even to investigate the matter, let alone taking action against the misogynistic MLA. Rather, he is being paraded as a poster boy of the BJP and have been seen accompanying the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Ministers and BJP MPs in various programmes," Samanatsimghar said.
The BJD alleged that the silence and deliberate inaction of the police and administrative apparatus have emboldened the Nilagiri MLA so much that he could get the courage to abuse Gandhiji inside the state Assembly on December 4.
"In the above backdrop and since Khatua has no remorse regarding his actions, my sincere request to you is to call all the facts of the case in the matter from various authorities and expel MLA Khatua from the state Assembly so that it will be an exemplary action before the society. This will act as a deterrent for anyone who wants to take advantage of his elected position to harm society," Samantsinghar appealed to the Governor.
Apart from this, the BJD delegation also sought intervention of Governor Kambhampati to bring normalcy in Malkangiri district that witness widespread violence following the recovery of a 51-year-old tribal woman recently.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While the remarks against Gandhi ji are condemnable, let's not forget this is a political fight between BJD and BJP in Odisha. The timing of this complaint to the Governor, when the Assembly session is over, seems strategic. The police and women's commission should investigate independently without political pressure.
As someone living in Odisha, the real issue is the violence in Malkangiri mentioned at the end. That tribal woman's recovery and the subsequent unrest is what needs immediate governor intervention. Politicians fighting is a distraction from the actual problems people are facing on the ground.
If an MLA is accused of poaching AND making indecent remarks, why is he still in the party and being paraded with senior leaders? This sets a very bad example. The BJP should take disciplinary action first, regardless of the BJD's complaint. Party discipline matters.
The disrespect towards women in politics is so common now. If a senior woman leader like Lekha Samantsinghar is not getting justice from police or women's commission, what hope does an ordinary woman have? The system is failing us. 😔
Frankly, the Governor's role is constitutional, not to settle political scores. The proper forum is the Assembly's Ethics Committee, as the BJD has already petitioned the Speaker. Let that process play out. Going to the Raj Bhavan for every political dispute is not the solution.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.