Berhampur: In a jibe at Naveen Patnaik and his knowledge of the state language, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told the gathering at the election rally in Odisha’s Berhampur that unlike the CM, he will reply to their letters in Odia.
He made the remark while asking people to hand over their artworks, including one of his mother, to his SPG. “I cannot refuse them. Please mention your addresses there, I will personally write to you. I am not like your CM, I will write to you in Odia. Others can also send me their work by post,” he said while stressing the BJP’s the battle for Odia asmita and development of the state.
The Prime Minister also asked why labourers from Naveen’s constituency Hinjili are migrating to other states. “Why are doctors’ posts vacant in most hospitals here? Why do most children drop out of schools?” he questioned.
He also alleged lack of adequate cold storages and water facility in Hinjli in Ganjam district, which Naveen has been representing since 2000.
He further said that loot by the Congress and then Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for over seven decades after Independence kept resources-rich Odisha poor.
The PM stressed that “June 4 is the expiry date” for the BJD government in Odisha and a “double-engine government” will be formed in the state for the first time after this election. “The BJP CM will be selected on May 6 and I am here to invite you to the swearing in ceremony in Bhubaneswar on June 10,” he said to a thunderous clapping from the crowd.
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Identifying himself as the son of Lord Jagannath, he also interspersed his speech with lines in Odia.
Stating that he never shied of providing budget to Odisha for development work, Modi said that Odisha needs a strong government to be able to implement the Centre’s schemes and utilise the funds sanctioned.
