Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday stated that a group of vested and corrupt individuals have virtually held Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik captive, hindering the development of Odisha.
Addressing the Vijay Sankalp Samavesh here after offering prayers to Lord Jagannath and holding a road show in Puri during his third leg of electioneering in Odisha, Modi harshly criticized the 24-year rule of Naveen Patnaik’s government, holding it responsible for the state’s poverty and backwardness.
He targeted the Naveen Patnaik government on numerous issues and questioned the people about what they have gained from 25 years of BJD rule in the state.
Modi asked why the people of Odisha are still languishing in poverty, migrating to other states in search of jobs, and why farmers are in distress despite the state’s rich mineral and forest resources.
The Prime Minister held the BJD government, led by the Chief Minister, responsible for the current state of affairs. He remarked that the BJD government is deeply involved in corruption, with a handful of people controlling the Chief Minister’s office and residence.
Modi stated that the state is not secure under the BJD government. He highlighted that even the Jagannath temple is not secure, with the key to the Ratna Bhandar (temple treasury) missing for the last six years, which he said is a very serious matter.
He also criticised the government for suppressing the probe commission report into the missing key of the Ratna Bhandar and assured the people that when a BJP government is formed in the state, the probe commission report will be made public.
The Prime Minister noted that in 2014, a new mining policy was formulated, and the District Mineral Fund (DMF) was created so that a certain amount of the fund would be utilized for the development of tribal people in mining areas.
He said that through the DMF, Rs. 26,000 crores have been provided for the development of schools and roads, but the BJD government had misused these funds.
Several projects, including the Rengali and Subarnarekha irrigation projects, are still not completed in the state, Modi said, and alleged that the BJD leaders are looting farmers in the mandis.
He urged the people to meet every farmer and tell them that Modi has assured that the MSP of paddy per quintal will be Rs. 3100, as happened in Chhattisgarh, and the payment will be transferred to the accounts of the farmers within 48 hours.
Modi said that katni chatni (deductions) will be completely abolished and electronic machines will be introduced in the mandis for the benefit of farmers.
The Prime Minister stated that the exit of the BJD government from the state is certain in this election, adding that a double-engine government will be formed in the state for the first time, with the BJP Chief Minister taking oath on June 10.
He appealed to all voters, especially first-time voters, to exercise their franchise and vote for BJP Assembly and Lok Sabha candidates.
