Odisha
BJD govt in Odisha to expire on June 4, says Modi; Naveen Patnaik jibes
Bhubaneswar/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a rare scathing attack on Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who runs the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), claiming the existing government will "expire" the next month as the state goes to vote.
Speaking at a rally Berhampur, Modi addressed a mass gathering where he exuded confidence in having a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in power in Odisha, who goes to Lok Sabha and Assembly elections simultaneously.
"It is certain that 4th June is the expiry date of BJD. Today is May 6. On June 6, BJP's CM candidate will be picked. The oath-taking ceremony will take place in Bhubaneswar on June 10. I have come here to invite you for the oath-taking ceremony of BJP's CM candidate," said Modi, who is known close to Patnaik, who is in the Chief Minister's post for 25 uninterrupted years.
"In Odisha, BJD and Congress have fallen, people are entrusting the BJP. BJP has come out as a new hope in Odisha," he added.
In his slow but detailed speech, the Prime Minister took potshots at the BJD accusing it of corruption.
Modi said, "Congress and BJD ruled the state for 75 years but what has happened? Odisha has been resourceful with water, fertile land, minerals, a long coastline, history and culture but why do people of such a rich state remain poor?
"Odisha is rich but its people are poor! Congress and BJD and their loot are responsible for this situation."
He added, "Why do most labourers from the Chief Minister's constituency migrate to other states? Why are doctors' posts vacant in hospitals? Why do students drop out?"
Modi also compared his government's contribution towards Odisha, an eastern state, with the previous UPA regime, led by the Congress.
"During 10 years of Sonia-ji's remote-control government with Manmohan Singh-ji in chair, 1 lakh crore was given to Odisha. In 10 years, Modi has given 3.5 lakh crores to Odisha," Modi said.
In short reply to Modi's claims, Patnaik, who supported the Centre's several bills including the crucial CAA, called the Prime Minister's wish to form government in Odisha a daydream.
"BJP has been daydreaming for many days," Patnaik, who is neither in the NDA nor INDIA camp, told his aide V K Pandian.
Modi's sharp remarks come weeks after his BJP had almost entered into an alliance with the BJD until they backtracked at the last moment.
Odisha's 147 assembly seats will go to polls in four phases on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.
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