Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi delivered a two-hour presentation outlining the state’s 2026-27 budget, but what followed was a fierce political showdown inside and outside the Assembly.

The budget session quickly turned into a battleground as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD), along with the Congress, locked horns over the financial blueprint.

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Naveen Patnaik’s ‘Empty Kitchen’ Jibe

Leading the opposition charge, former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik dismissed the budget as a “full menu in an empty kitchen.”

The metaphor, widely circulated in political circles, suggested that while the document was filled with ambitious promises, it lacked the financial substance and resource backing to implement them effectively.

Patnaik’s sharp criticism set the tone for an aggressive debate, with the BJD questioning the government’s fiscal management and long-term economic vision.

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BJD Calls It the ‘Worst Budget’

BJD MLA Gautam Buddha Das escalated the attack, calling the financial plan “the worst budget ever presented in Odisha.”

Das accused the BJP government of failing to manage the state’s economy and claimed the current administration lacked clarity and direction. He contrasted the present government’s approach with Patnaik’s 24-year tenure, which he credited with transforming Odisha from an economically weak state into a stronger fiscal entity.

According to the BJD, the budget fails to adequately address the needs of common citizens and does not reflect a coherent development roadmap.

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BJP Hits Back with ‘Menu Matters’ Counter

Defending the government, BJP MLA Santosh Khatua offered a modern-day analogy, comparing the debate to the food delivery platform Zomato.

“It’s the menu that matters, not the kitchen,” Khatua said, countering Patnaik’s remarks. He argued that during the BJD’s long rule, Odisha had neither a strong “menu” nor an effective “kitchen.”

Khatua maintained that the Majhi-led budget is a structured and actionable roadmap aimed at delivering tangible progress rather than empty assurances.

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Congress Joins Opposition Critique

The Congress party echoed the BJD’s concerns, questioning the feasibility of several major announcements and highlighting what it described as gaps in fiscal prioritisation.

With both major opposition parties aligning in their criticism, the debate over the 2026-27 budget has evolved into a broader political contest over economic stewardship and governance credibility.

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A Test for the Majhi Government

Political observers view the heated exchange as more than routine budget criticism. It reflects the sharpening rivalry between the BJP and BJD in a shifting political landscape.

As implementation begins, the real test for Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s government will lie in translating budget promises into measurable outcomes. The coming months are likely to determine whether the budget proves to be a visionary roadmap — or, as critics allege, merely a “full menu in an empty kitchen.”