Balangir: Stepping up his attack on Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Saturday mocked at the former’s knowledge of Kantabanji, the second seat from where he is contesting the Assembly elections.
“Your Chief Minister is contesting from Kantabanji, give him a farewell with song and dance,” Modi said at the Vijay Sankalp Samavesh in Odisha’s Balangir, about 80 km from Kantabanji. “When he comes can you ask him to name ten villages of Kantabanji without reading from your paper? He is detached from the state and is not aware of its potential,” Modi taunted, attacking Naveen’s habit of reading written speeches.
He added the countdown for bidding goodbye to BJD government has begun in Odisha and the entire state is saying in unison that a double-engine government will be formed in Odisha for the first time. “Odisha is one of the richest states in India but poverty is rampant here. You have already lost 50 years, and there is threat to your rich culture and tradition. ‘Kete Din Sahiba Odisha…’ (how long will Odisha tolerate this). Odia asmita (pride) can’t be mortgaged. The BJP will help the state get out of these problems,” he asserted while reiterating that June 4 is the expiry date of ruling BJD in Odisha and a BJP CM, who is born and brought up in the state, will be sworn-in on June 10.
Modi said that the BJP has honoured the people of Odisha with Padma awards for protecting and serving the Odia art and culture. “During the G20 summit in Delhi, I took Odisha’s pride to Bharat Mandapam. The global leaders stood in front of the Wheel of Konark Sun Temple and got their pictures clicked…Today, many leaders have a picture of the Konark Wheel in their homes. To honour the Paika Rebellion, the BJP government released a commemorative coin and postage stamp. Today, the daughter of Odisha commands all three wings of military. She is the pride of the nation and shaping the direction of the nation… It’s all happening due to the strength of your vote, Modi is just a medium,” he said.
Continuing his attack on the BJD government, the PM said that the leaders of the party own bungalows and vehicles while youths here are forced to migrate. “This migration of people needs to be stopped… Farmers are not getting deserving MSP for paddy and corruption is rampant at mandis. The BJP has promised to increase MSP to Rs 3,100 per quintal and the money will be credited to farmers’ accounts within 48 hours. This is Modi’s guarantee.”
“…Under Poshan Abhiyaan, for pregnant women, I send Rs 6,000 to the bank account of every sister of Odisha but they don’t get this money because Odisha govt has halted this scheme. Does Odisha needs this government which doesn’t allow to serve the poor mothers and sisters…?” he asked.
