Bhubaneswar: A war of words ensued between the ruling BJD and Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today over the free electricity promise made by the former in its manifesto for the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Odisha.

The BJP asked the ruling party to give clear picture regarding how many families in Odisha will be benefitted by the free electricity promise.

“The BJD has announced in its manifesto that it would provide free electricity to families consuming up to 100 units of power. But, an influential BJD leader is saying that there will be no electricity tariff for all families in Odisha from July this year if the regional party comes to power again in the state. There are 96 lakh electricity consumers in Odisha. Let, the BJD clarify that how many consumers will be benefitted by the proposed free electricity scheme,” said BJP leader Samir Mohanty at a presser here today.

Mohanty, a former president of Odisha unit of BJP, alleged that the ruling BJD is befooling the people of Odisha with regard to its free electricity promise.

The BJP leader claimed that at least 27 states in the country are either providing free electricity or giving concessions on power tariff to people. But, the BJD government did not do that in its 24 year-long rule in Odisha, he said.

“The electricity tariff in Odisha is at least 90 paise higher than the average charge at the national level. Odisha has huge stocks of coal but our discoms are buying electricity at Rs 2.83 per unit while the rate is Rs 2.53 for discoms in Tamil Nadu. The state government has handed over a thermal power plant with 3,200 MW-capacity at Talabira to Tamil Nadu government,” Mohanty said.

Countering the BJP, the BJD said the Opposition party is staring at a defeat in the twin polls in the state.

“We have clearly stated in our manifesto that around 90 per cent consumers in Odisha will be eligible for free electricity. The BJP is spreading lies in this regard. It seems that our free electricity promise has given a big jolt to the BJP in the polls,” said BJD leader Bhrugu Buxipatra.

The BJD leader claimed that power tariff in Odisha is lower than that of many BJP-ruled states including Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. “The power tariff in Rajasthan is at least 75 per cent higher than the prevailing rate in Odisha,” Buxipatra added.