Odisha Elections: Baijayant Targets Naveen Patnaik & Pandian; Says 2 People In Helicopter Cannot Form Govt

Bhubaneswar: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim about BJD’s defeat in upcoming polls sparked a political row in Odisha, senior BJP leader Baijayant Panda slammed the Naveen Patnaik government on Tuesday over alleged corruption and said the saffron party will storm into power in the state.

Highlighting the key promise made in the saffron party’s manifesto for the state, the BJP national vice-president claimed that Odisha witnessed rampant corruption in the form of PC (percentage commission) during BJD rule.

In sharp contrast, corruption has taken the back seat in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he told reporters in Bhubaneswar.

Asserting that a new BJP government will be formed in Odisha on June 10 as stated by PM Modi, Panda claimed that people will vote BJP to power as they are fed up with in corruption and misgovernance during BJD regime.

Taking a dig at BJD claim that Naveen will take oath as CM for sixth consecutive term on June 9, the BJP leader said that two people travelling in a helicopter cannot form government. “Only two people cannot form government by travelling in a helicopter,” Panda said responding to a query.

Odisha could have become the 5th largest economy in the country with its enormous resources in the last 25 years, but the ruling BJD has completely failed to perform, said Panda, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Kendrapada as BJP candidate.

Alleging that people in the state are being threatened to vote for BJD, the senior BJP leader said that people need not be afraid of any threat as the saffron party is with them. ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’ is with the people, he said.

Hitting out at the Naveen government for neglecting agriculture sector, he said BJD had promised 17 years ago that 33 per cent of  land would be irrigated, but it is yet to be done and the farmers are facing problems to irrigate their land.

Stating that the change and development that India has witnessed in the last ten years is being hailed across the world, Panda said India is now the 5th biggest economy in the world. However, no such development has been witnessed in Odisha, he said.

The BJP leader said if the party is voted to power in Odisha it will increase irrigation facilities by three times in the state and paddy will be procured at Rs 3100 per quintal  to enhance the income of farmers.