Bhubaneswar, Feb. 13 -- Senior Biju Janata Dal Leader and MP Sasmit Patra on Thursday reiterated the party's demand for special category state status to Odisha.

Speaking in the upper house of the parliament on Thursday, Patra also alleged that Odisha has been neglected again by the centre in the Union Budget for the financial year 2025-26.

"I stand here today not just as a representative of Odisha, but as the voice of a state that has been abandoned by this Union Budget! This is not just neglect-this is an affront to four and a half crore people of Odisha!," alleged Patra.

Targeting the ruling BJP, the BJD Rajya Sabha MP further stated that the Odisha BJP in its 2014 election manifesto promised special category status for Odisha.

"Ele...