What is Odisha's 'lungi ladai' as ministers flaunt it amid Dharmendra Pradhan's jibe

BHUBANESWAR: The humble lungi, a go-to dress for many Indian men at home, has suddenly got a life of its own ever since a video of chief minister Naveen Patnaik, dressed in a lungi and white, round-neck T-shirt, and holding cut-outs of BJD's conch symbol, was uploaded by the BJD as part of its 'Jodi Sankha (double conch)' campaign.
Even as Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticised the video, terming it a mockery of a respectable person, it triggered a backlash with many BJD politicians dressing up in a lungi in solidarity with the chief minister.
In the video, Naveen is seen urging voters to cast their ballots twice for the party's conch symbol in the simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls. Responding to it, Dharmendra, at a public gathering in Laikera, which falls under Jharsuguda assembly seat and Bargarh Lok Sabha constituency, said, "You may have seen the video. There is a 'gumasta (agent)', making the CM do such odd things. He is an old man, respectable to all of us. At least he should have been made to dress properly. Should this happen?"
Dharmendra added, "A handful of people are ruling Odisha. Odisha's control is no more in your hands. The CM is in video. His remote lies in the hands of non-Odia agents. It's a question of Odia identity. People of Odisha will give a decisive verdict against such a govt."
In response to Dharmendra's criticism, BJD spokespersons Sasmit Patra and Swayam Prakash Mohapatra held a press conference and came wearing lungis. Strongly condemning the Union minister's comment, the BJD leaders asserted that the success of the 'Jodi Sankha' campaign has left him sleepless.
The 'Jodi Sankha' campaign video was released on Monday. While Naveen is seen in one video, his close associate V K Pandian is seen in another, holding two conch models and seeking votes for the BJD in Lok Sabha and assembly elections. The BJD representatives defended the party's campaign strategy and emphasized its effectiveness in garnering public support. They maintained that 'Jodi Sankha' initiative has struck a chord with the people, causing concern among the opposition parties, particularly the BJP.
The Union minister also said people of Odisha have made up their mind to bring change to Odisha. "People are fed up of the law and order situation, corruption and govt's failure to address basic problems." Earlier at the public meeting, Dharmendra also brought up the issue of the assassination of former minister Naba Das. He argued that a govt incapable of safeguarding its own minister has lost the moral authority to remain in power.
In Bhubaneswar, Sasmit and Swayam said Dharmendra is disturbed with the campaign video, which has gone viral.