A war of words broke out between Odisha’s ruling BJP and Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Saturday over the inventory of jewellery and valuables stored in the refurbished ‘Ratna Bhandar’ (treasury) of Shree Jagannath temple in Puri.

Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Arabinda Padheee Friday announced that the temple authorities have decided to conduct the inventory of the Ratna Bhandar in phases, and the process will be completed by the next ‘Akshya Tritiyta’ (April 19, 2026).

The BJD alleged that the state’s BJP government was resorting to the tactics of delay and evasion in undertaking the inventory of jewellery and valuables stored in the Ratna Bhandar.

The ruling BJP immediately rejected the allegation and claimed that the BJD has no moral right to spea

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