Odisha Bypoll: Dharmendra Claims Naveen Is Tired & Unable To Understand Anything

Padampur: Sharpening the attack on Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday claimed that the BJD President is unable to comprehend what he says as he appeared to have become tired.

Addressing a meeting at Jharbandh while campaigning for BJP candidate for Padampur Assembly bypoll, Dharmendra said the Chief Minister’s speech during his visit to the Assembly constituency on Friday showed he is not able to understand what he speaks.

Referring to Naveen’s statement about Padampur railway project, the senior BJP leader said it appeared that the Chief Minister is not in a position to comprehend anything. “It seems you (CM) have become tired for which you are unable to figure out what you are saying,” he said.

Therefore, the Chief Minister is saying what his Ministers want him to speak, claimed Dharmendra

Hitting out at Naveen for speaking about 18 per cent GST being imposed on Kendu leaves, the BJP leader said, “I want to point out that you (CM) are shedding crocodile tears for Kendu leaf pluckers. Out of 18 per cent GST, you are getting 9 per cent as revenue.”

In a stinging attack on the Chief Minister over law and order situation in the state, Dharmendra said the law and order situation has gone from bad to worse and the number of atrocities against women has increased manifold during the BJD rule.

On growing unemployment in the state, the Union Minister said people of Bijepur Assembly segment had voted for Naveen in the last election in 2019., but the BJD supremo betrayed them after being elected.

Naveen, who had contested from two constituencies, quit the Bijepur seat and retained the Hinjili Assembly seat in Ganjam district, Dharmendra said, adding if the Chief Minsiter had retained the seat, Bargarh would have been his district.

A large number of people, particularly youths, are forced to go outside in search of works due to lack of job avenues in the state, he said, adding that people from Hinjli are also going outside as they are unable to get any work.

The BJP leader expressed confidence that the people of Padampur will vote in favour of party candidate Pradip Purohit as they are disillusioned with the ruling BJD for its misrule.