BJD’s Strong Reaction to Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling Riding a Motorcycle Without a Helmet
Immediately Dismiss Mukesh Mahaling from the Council of Ministers: BJD
- Conduct and Statements of Minister Mukesh Mahaling Are Unacceptable
- He used Abusive Language in the Assembly
- While Patients Were Dying, the Minister Was Engaged in Celebration
Bhubaneswar, 28/03/2026: Following the tragic death of 13 patients due to a fire incident in the ICU of SCB Medical College, the State Legislative Assembly has remained disrupted for a week with opposition parties demanding the resignation of the State Health Minister, Shri Mukesh Mahaling. Meanwhile, during a Ram Navami procession, the Health Minister was seen riding a motorcycle without a helmet, which has drawn sharp criticism from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) against both the Minister’s conduct and the State Government.
In a press statement issued by the BJD, party Spokesperson and Media Coordinator Dr. Lenin Mohanty stated that the BJP, which claims to uphold values, ethics, and morality, is in reality undermining them daily. Despite repeated demands from Opposition Parties for Health Minister Shri Mukesh Mahaling to take moral responsibility and resign after the SCB fire tragedy, the government has taken no action.
Earlier, while holding the portfolios of Health and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Mukesh Mahaling allegedly used abusive language in the Assembly, a video of which went viral on social media. However, no action was taken against him for such unruly conduct. At the time when patients were dying in agony in the SCB fire incident, the Minister was reportedly engaged in leisure activities in Paradip. The following day, he was also seen accusing an MLA of accepting money and forcing others to vote.
Such conduct and statements by the Minister are unacceptable in a civilized society, yet the State BJP government appears unconcerned. On the contrary, the Minister has made no effort to rectify his behaviour or speech. He appears to treat violation of the law as his right. On the occasion of Ram Navami yesterday, he was seen riding a motorcycle without a helmet during a procession, which has been widely disapproved by the general public. Several citizens questioned the State Government on social media, asking whether this reflects the ethics and principles of the BJP government.
Dr. Mohanty further stated that despite the Minister’s repeated unruly conduct, the mysterious silence of the State Government raises serious questions about the capability of Chief Minister Shri Mohan Majhi. In this context, opposition MLAs recently wore black T-shirts in the Assembly with slogans describing a “weak Chief Minister and a powerful Health Minister.” The Minister’s continued violations of the law appear to validate those claims.
It is noteworthy that Mukesh Mahaling represents the Loisingha Assembly constituency, which is reserved for Scheduled Castes, yet there are allegations that he does not belong to the Scheduled Caste category and obtained the seat using forged documents. Entrusting such a serious portfolio as the Health Department to a person facing such grave allegations, and maintaining silence over his incompetence and unruly behaviour, raises serious questions about the policies and ideals of the State BJP Government.
In view of the growing public discontent against Minister Shri Mukesh Mahaling, the Biju Janata Dal has demanded that the State Government immediately dismiss him from the Council of Ministers.
