Bhubaneswar: A war of words erupted between the ruling BJP and opposition BJD on Friday after Bhubaneswar mayor Sulochana Das, who is a BJD member, questioned the performance of the BJP’s “double-engine govt” in Odisha through a post on social media. Responding sharply, BJP spokesperson Jatin Mohanty accused the BJD of indulging in political rhetoric.Targeting the BJP-led govts both at the Centre and in state, Das alleged, in an X post, that several key projects and institutions associated with the capital city were facing uncertainty under the current dispensation.She cited the Bhubaneswar metro rail project being put on hold; proposed privatisation of Biju Patnaik International Airport; setbacks to international air connectivity; concerns over women’s safety, and law and order, and reports about the possible merger of the historic Demonstration Multipurpose (DM) School with Kendriya Vidyalaya.In her post, Das asked, “What does the so-called ‘Double Engine Sarkar’ mean for Bhubaneswar?”“Bhubaneswar, as Odisha’s capital and a major educational, economic and cultural hub, deserved more connectivity, more institutions, more investment and greater ambition, not less,” she said, asking whether the “double-engine” govt was taking Bhubaneswar forward or “putting its achievements into reverse”.Mohanty asserted that Bhubaneswar’s development had received significant support from the Centre over the years.Mohanty said it was the Centre that recognised Bhubaneswar as a Smart City and facilitated the upgradation of Biju Patnaik airport into an international airport. He also highlighted efforts to develop a greenfield airport in Puri.On the metro rail project, Mohanty described it as a futuristic initiative but said the govt must proceed cautiously. “We cannot afford to hurry on such a project. At present, flyovers are a more feasible option. Metro services can come when other transport alternatives are exhausted,” he said.Refuting criticism over the proposed DM School merger, Mohanty argued that educational institutions should be consolidated to avoid duplication and improve efficiency.