Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan lashed out at the BJD government in Odisha accusing it of "failing" to maintain law and order which, he said, has led to "lawlessness" across the state.

Pradhan's statement was immediately dismissed by BJD secretary (organization) P P Das, who in a series of tweets said, "Your (BJP) leader of opposition is a habitual offender and party's Yuva Morcha president has been facing murder charge. What message do you want to give by supporting these leaders?"