Tumudibandha: Virtually sounding party’s poll bugle for 2024, BJP president J P Nadda on Wednesday said the BJD government in Odisha needs to be ousted in next elections as it is depriving 60 lakh people of the benefits of Centre’s Ayushman Bharat health scheme
Addressing a public meeting at Tumudibandha in tribal-dominated Kandhamal district, Nadda also hit out at the state government over the safety and security of Lord Jagannath’s ‘Ratna Bhandar’ in the 12th century shrine at Puri claiming that no step has been taken for its protection.
Nadda, who started his speech with ‘Jai Jagannath’, accused the BJD government of neglecting the safety of ‘Ratna Bhandar’, the treasure trove of Shree Jagannath Temple at the seaside pilgrim town, and claimed that no one knows as to where is its original key.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik must give an answer as to where is the original key of the ‘Ratna Bhandar’, the BJP chief said. “We are all worried about the security of Ratna Bhandar. Where is the original key? Naveen Patnaik should answer,” he said.
Asserting that the Narendra Modi government has been providing substantial assistance to the state in the health sector and is keen to extend more help, Nadda accused the BJD government of putting obstacles on the way.
Coming down heavily on the Naveen government for not implementing Ayushman Bharat scheme, the BJP chief said, “Naveen Patnaik is depriving 60 lakh people of Odisha of the benefits of Ayushman Bharat. Such a government must be dislodged,” he said.
Claiming that Odisha has become highly unsafe for women during the BJD rule, Nadda alleged that the number of crimes against women in the state has doubled. As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, atrocities against women are very high in Odisha where human trafficking has also assumed alarming shape. Odisha seems to be ahead of all states in trafficking of women, he claimed.
Ridiculing Naveen for making tall claims about his regional party and state’s interests, the BJP leader said the state government has deprived the people of the state of major health benefits by refusing to implement the Ayushman Bharat programme.
Coming down heavily on the BJD government over the manner in which administration is being run in the state, Nadda said Odisha is witnessing a pathetic situation as no one knows who is running the government. “What kind of government is it and who is running the government? We are unable to understand,” he said.
He said Naveen had promised to establish Odia University in four years, but already five years have passed and there is no sign of it.
While women are unsafe in Odisha, tribals and others are also being tortured and criminal attack on police personnel is also high, he said. “Should we allow such government to remain in power,” he asked.
It is Modi government that has been successfully addressing issues relating to the poor, deprived, neglected, farmers and women across the country, Nadda said.
Alleging that development has taken a back set in Odisha during the BJD rule, the BJP chief said the Centre has set up maximum number of 87 Ekalavya Schools for tribal students n the state, Rs 3323 crore has been provided for ensuring availability of tap water in every household.
Similarly, Bhubaneswar railway station is being redeveloped and given a new look at a cost of Rs 300 crore, he said, adding all national highways in the state are being given new a new shape.
Claiming that the people of Odisha are fed up with the misrule of BJD in the last 23 years, Nadda said it is necessary to bring about a change by dislodging the BJD and voting BJP to ensure speedy development of the state and welfare of its people.
