Bhubaneswar: In a scathing attack on the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday accused his predecessor Naveen Patnaik him of having ruined the state during the 24-year rule.
Speaking on the occasion of BJP membership drive at Kargil Basti in Bhubaneswar on the occasion of 109th birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, the Chief Minister said the state will witness a change of government whenever ‘Odia Asmita’ is in danger.
Majhi asserted that the BJP government’s only agenda is to serve the people and work for their development instead of simply trying to stick on to power like the previous regime.
Referring to 24 years of BJD rule, he claimed that the previous government destroyed democracy and pushed the state backward in the name of development. In the name of 5T transformation, only school walls were painted and public money was looted, he claimed.
Regarding Subhadra Yojana, the Chief Minister said first instalment under the scheme, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been released to 25 lakh women. In each subsequent phase, 25 lakh women will get the financial assistance under the scheme.
Describing Subhadra Yojana as an example of BJP’s commitment towards women empowerment and security, he said PM Modi had assured all women that the double engine government of the party will bring about much-needed development of the state. The BJP government has taken key decisions and put the state on the path of progress, he said, adding that BJP’s aim is to not just be in power but use it to propel the state and country to greater heights.
Hitting out at the BJD, the CM accused it of cheating people by making tall claims about empowerment of women.
Claiming that the previous government made Mission Shakti a political tool to take credit for ensuring economic freedom of women, Majhi said it sought to take full credit though the Centre was giving seven per cent interest for Mission Shakti loans and the state was giving four per cent.
The BJD took credit for many such programmes which were being facilitated by the BJP at the Centre, he said, adding that the people could see through the gimmicks and ousted the BJD regime.
The Chief Minister said BJD was voted out as people of the state suffered because of rampant misuse of power by the party and lack of development.