Berhampur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that June 4 is the expiry date for Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government in Odisha.
“I have come here to invite you for the swearing in ceremony of BJP CM in Bhubaneswar on June 10. On the very day, we will implement the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana which the Naveen Patnaik government has been resisting. This son of Lord Jagannath will take care all senior citizens under this scheme. You no longer have to worry about your parents,” he said while addressing a rally at Kanisi under Berhampur parliamentary constituency.
“In Odisha, two ‘Yagna’ are happening together. One for a strong government in India and another in Odisha led by BJP. Your enthusiasm shows that the double-engine government is going to form in Odisha for the first time…,” he said with the speech interspersed with lines in Odia.
PM Modi said Odisha lags behind in every development parameters despite abundant water resources, fertile land, rich mineral resources, a vast coastline and a trade centre like Berhampur which is also known as the Silk city. “Who is responsible for it? Why are the people of resources-rich Odisha still poor? The answer is rampant loot by Congress, which ruled the state for 50 years, and then the BJD for next 25 years. Even small leaders of BJD have big bungalows. The BJD is sinking, while Congress is a spent force and the BJP is the only ray of hope for the people,” he said while blaming the current government for distress migration, lack of doctors in hospitals and high dropout rates in schools.
He further alleged that the present regime does not care for the welfare of the women. “The Modi government provides Rs 6,000 to pregnant women under Janani Suraksha Yojana. You will be surprised that the Odisha government has suspended this important scheme.”
“A person, who lives, understands and takes pride in Odia culture and tradition, can help resolve the problems of Odisha at a faster pace. Therefore, the swearing in should be of a BJP CM. People of the state are extremely talented. I have seen how hardworking are the people of the state, many of who are working in Surat, and they can accelerate the process of development here. I urge you to allow BJP to serve you for once and it is Modi’s guarantee that Odisha will be turned into the number 1 state in the next five years,” he said, giving the example of its government in Uttar Pradesh and Assam.
He further said that the BJP government at the Centre had never compromised on the development of Odisha. “The UPA government, which was remotely run by Sonia Gandhi, gave only 1 lakh crore in 10 years while the funds allotted to the state during the BJP regime was more than 3.5 lakh crore. Sanctioning funds and making schemes at the Centre are not enough, we need a good government in the state to implement those and put the funds to good use. The central government gave Rs 10,000 crore to Odisha under Jal Jeevan Mission. The BJD government here could not spend that money properly. Modi sends money to build roads in villages, but here the condition of roads is still bad. Modi sends money for free rice from Delhi, but BJD government pastes its stickers on this scheme. They engage in such bemani (deceit) because they have done nothing for Odisha,” he said.
“Hinjli lacks adequate cold storages and water facilities,” he added in an indirect attack on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who has been representing the Assembly segment since 2000.
Modi asserted that the BJP does what it says. “After forming the government here in Odisha, we will implement the declarations made in the manifesto. This is Modi’s guarantee,” while referring to the visionary Sankalp Patra (manifesto) of its state unit, which includes assurances to the tribals, farmers, women and unemployed youth.
He said that the BJP will pick its CM for Odisha on May 6.
Modi said the BJP has very proudly given the highest post of the country to the daughter of Odisha. “It is my good fortune that President Droupadi Murmu Ji regularly gives me feedback for the development of Odisha. I feel that I will be able to do a lot for the state under her guidance,” he said.
The PM arrived in Bhubaneswar last evening and is scheduled to address another rally in Nabarangpur in the afternoon.
Berhampur, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and Koraput will be going to polls on May 13, the fourth phase nationwide and the first round of elections in Odisha.
