Jharsuguda: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday kicked off his campaign for BJD candidate Deepali Das in Jharsuguda byelection by calling upon the people to give a chance to the daughter of soil to serve them.
Addressing a public meeting at Amilipali in the constituency, Naveen said Deepali, the daughter of former minister Naba Das, is a highly educated girl and has special interest in social service. “I believe that given an opportunity, she would prove to be an efficient leader like her father,” he said.
It may be noted that the byelection was necessitated after Naba Das was shot dead by a policeman.
Recalling the former minister Das, the chief minister said he was a popular leader and an efficient minister. People of Jharsuguda will always remember him for his contributions to the constituency, he added.
Trying to forge an emotional bond with the people, Naveen said it was a matter of regret that a girl, who had just lost her father, was subjected to humiliation by the opposition parties.
“Winning or losing in an election is part of the process. But nobody should stoop down to emotionally hurt anybody. We should maintain decency during the campaign. Nobody, particularly women and our mothers, should be disrespected,” he said.
Coming down on Opposition parties heavily, he said, “It is common knowledge how they treated Barsha Singh Bariha who lost her father during Padmapur by-election. Now they are behaving in similar way with Deepali. It is unfortunate and has made me very sad,” Naveen said.
Stating that BJD has always believed in development, the chief minister said his party would continue to work for welfare and empowerment of women, farmers and youth. “Jharsuguda has emerged as a prominent district for its industries. The government would continue to work to make it No 1 industrial district in the country,” he added.
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