Narendra Modi Challenges Naveen Patnaik On His Knowledge Of Odisha, Rakes Up Ratna Bhadar Missing Keys Issue

Phulbani: Launching a scathing attack on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his knowledge on Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday dared him to name all districts of the state and their headquarters without holding a piece of paper.

“Naveen Babu, you have been the Chief Minister of Odisha for long; still, why are the people of Odisha still not happy with you… If the CM cannot name the districts of the state, will he know your pain? How can you leave the future of your children with him? Odisha has 100 times more potential than Gujarat. Give me an opportunity for five years. I will definitely make Odisha No. 1,” he told a gathering at Phulbani stadium.

Starting his marathon campaign from Kandhamal district, Modi reiterated that the record support for the BJP clearly indicates that people of Odisha are tired of BJD’s misgovernance and their disrespect towards the state’s rich culture.

He began his speech by addressing the gathering in Odia and invoking the presiding deities of the region. He also mentioned two women and extended gratitude to them for the love they showered on him. “After arriving in Kandhamal, I got blessings that I cannot forget for years to come. This is indicative of the wave of change in Odisha and the entire country. A mother came and blessed me. When I came to know about her, I got emotional. Tula Behera ji has nothing of her own. She donated Rs 1 lakh, which she collected by begging to Lord Jagannath. She said she needed nothing except the blessings of the Lord. I also met Purnamasi Jani, a social activist and Padma awardee. We feel fortunate to have presented her with the award. She did not allow me to touch her feet when I was felicitating her… Both are inspirational,” he said.

The PM also spoke about his roadshow in Bhubaneswar the previous evening and the overwhelming response of the people towards him. “Your love has given me the strength and I will repay every ounce of your trust by selflessly serving the country. I will work day and night to turn around the fate of Odisha and make it a developed state,” he said.

Modi also expressed concerns over the missing keys of the inner chamber of Ratna Bhandar of Puri Jagannath Temple since six years. “You even failed to take care of the treasury of the Lords. The incident has deeply hurt me. The people of Odisha have the right to know where the keys are. Who has the keys? The state government then tried to deflect the criticism by stating that the duplicate keys had been found. Now, the question is, why were duplicate keys made in the first place? Were these keys used to open the treasury at night and steal the Lords’ jewellery? The government constituted a commission to probe the case, but it is yet to make the report public. Why is the government running away from answering these questions? Whom is it trying to protect?”

“This BJP government will ensure that the sanctity of Ratna Bhandar is maintained once it comes to power in the state. This is Modi’s guarantee,” he asserted.

He said that Odisha has vast opportunities for the tourism sector to flourish. “The tourism sector usually has a spillover effect on the region’s overall economy . Your state government is not willing to trust your capabilities due to which development remains stunted.”

Modi said that this election holds a lot of importance for Odisha. “Your vote is important for the realisation of Viksit Odisha for Viksit Bharat. Your one vote can help in the formation of a double-engine government in the state. Eithi prathama thara paien double-engine sarkar haba (Odisha will have a double-engine government for the first time). The BJP should win all 21 Lok Sabha seats from the state and therefore, I urge you to press the lotus button and help our candidates win,” he said.

He further said the state BJP is dedicated to Odia language and culture. “A son/daughter of this soil who understands its culture and tradition will become the Chief Minister of BJP in Odisha. I have come to invite you to the swearing-in ceremony of the Chief Minister of the BJP government in Bhubaneswar on June 10,” he said.

The PM said that BJD and Congress tried to shun their responsibility by declaring Kandhamal a backward district. “Modi decided to turn such backward districts into aspirational districts of the country. I monitor the work being done in such districts regularly. As a result of which Kandhamal has witnessed steady progress. The state government, on the other hand, is attempting to usurp tribal land.”

He also spoke about the GI tag to Kandhamal Haladi and the BJP’s decision to establish a masala park here.

“I am from a poor family, so I empathise with your plight. I work relentlessly to uplift your living conditions. I have helped 25 crore people to move out of poverty. I will not be content till all the poor are uplifted…,” he said while elaborating on the benefits of the zero power scheme and Ayushman Bharat of his government.

Modi also referred to the Pokharan test conducted by the then Prime Minister on this day 26 years ago. “The nuclear test filled Indians all over the world with pride… That was the first time India made the world aware of its capabilities. On the other hand, Congress keeps creating fear psychosis in the minds of Indians by reiterating ‘Pakistan is a nuclear power’. They are killing the spirit of India while Pakistan is struggling to protect its bombs and has put them up for sale though there are no takers since those are of poor quality.”

“Due to this weakness of the Congress, the people of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed terrorism for 60 years. India can never forget that instead of giving a befitting reply to the terrorists after the 26/11 Mumbai attack, Congress held discussions with them to save its vote bank. The Indian Muslims are also aware of it.”

He said there has been little change in Congress’ script since 2014. “Indians have made up their minds to help BJP and NDA cross the 400-mark this time and the Congress will cease to be the main opposition as it would be restricted to below 50 seats.”

“Where there is lotus, there is peace and development; Where there is lotus, there is scientific development; Where there is lotus, there is respect for women; Where there is lotus, there is the realisation of resolutions and where there is lotus, there is prosperity. It represents security, prosperity, and self-reliance, symbolising India’s rich heritage and pride,” he added. 

Modi is scheduled to address two more rallies in Balangir and Bargarh district later in the day.