Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticised Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra for her recent allegations. Moitra claimed that the Nayagarh Police had “illegally thrown out” four Bengali-speaking residents from the district. Her comments arise during a state-wide verification drive aimed at identifying illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants.
In response to Moitra’s allegations, BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal accused the TMC of shielding illegal infiltrators and misleading the public. “It is unclear why MP Mahua Moitra has so much sympathy for Bangladeshi infiltrators. The people of Odisha do not need advice from any anti-national elements,” Biswal stated. He claimed that the TMC has “historically protected” illegal immigrants, thus “endangering the nation’s internal security.”
The Odisha government is determined to remove illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators from the state. Odisha Police is responsibly and effectively carrying out its duty. Wherever any suspicious individuals are found, strict action will be taken. @DGPOdisha @spnayagarh https://t.co/knl1SEAKaF
— Anil Biswal (@BiswalAnil) December 3, 2025
Biswal asserted that the Odisha Police is conducting verification drives in a lawful and systematic manner. “The Odisha government is determined to remove illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators from the state. Wherever any suspicious individuals are found, strict action will be taken,” he wrote in a post on X. He further advised Moitra not to “level false allegations” that could strain the cordial relationship between Odisha and West Bengal.
The state police firmly rejected Moitra’s claims. Nayagarh Additional SP Subash Chandra Panda categorically denied that any Bengali-speaking Indian citizens were detained or ordered to leave the district. Calling the allegations “completely false,” Panda stated that no such individuals had been identified or questioned by the local police.
In a video shared on her X handle, Moitra alleged that despite presenting valid identity documents, four workers were rounded up by police officials and instructed to leave Nayagarh within 72 hours. She also announced her intention to pursue legal action against what she termed a violation of citizens’ rights.
Adding to the BJP’s criticism, party MLA Santosh Khatua remarked that Moitra’s comments were “unbecoming of a Member of Parliament” and questioned the West Bengal government’s failure to curb illegal settlements in the state. He argued that those criticizing Odisha’s verification process should first examine the situation in their own state.
