Odisha Elections: Rahul Alleges BJP-BJD Nexus To Loot Poor, Says Modi Runs Govt For Billionaires & Naveen For Select Few

Cuttack: Launching a stinging attack on both BJP and BJD, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi runs a government for billionaires from Delhi, while Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik leads a dispensation that works for “select few” in Odisha.

Kick-starting Congress campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections at Salepur in Cuttack district, Rahul claimed that though BJD and BJP are fighting the electoral battle against each other, in reality, they were working together.

“Call it a partnership or marriage, both BJD and BJP are together,” the Congress leader claimed at the election meting held at Kulia in Salepur.

Coming down heavily on Naveen, Rahul said that though he is the Chief Minister, the BJD government in the state is being run by his close aide V K Pandian.

In an apparent reference to PM Modi, Rahul said, “Uncle-ji and Naveen-babu have given Odisha PAANN, meaning Pandian, Amit Shah, Narendra Modi, Naveen Patnaik. They have looted your wealth.”

Claiming that Naveen is running the government with the help of a few selected people, he said a handful of chosen few are taking all the benefits.

Alleging rampant corruption in different sectors in the state during BJD rule, Rahul claimed that Odisha was rocked by the Rs nine lakh crore mining scam, land grab scam of Rs 20,000 crore,  plantation scam of Rs 15000 crore, and many other scandals.

“I assure the people of Odisha that when Congress comes to power after elections in the state, all these looted money will be returned to the public,” he said.

If Congress forms government, it will directly transfer Rs 2,000 per month to the bank accounts of women in the state, said Rahul, adding that Rs 3,000 would be transferred to the bank accounts of jobless youths every month if the party is voted to power.

The Congress leader further said that if the party comes to power concrete steps would be taken to provide the unemployed youths with jobs. Congress will also provide cylinders at Rs 500, free electricity up to 200 units and many other benefits if voted to power, he said.

The educated youth will also be imparted the best vocational training when Congress comes to power, Rahul said.

“We will also transfer Rs 1 lakh to crore to the bank accounts to make people lakhpati. While Narendra Modi is waiving off the loans of industrialists, Congress will waive off loans of farmers,” the Congress leader said.

Similarly, the remuneration of ASHA and Anganwadi workers would also be doubled if Congress comes to power. and the wage of labourers under MGNREGA wage will be hiked to Rs 400, he said. “We will ensure land, forest and water rights of the tribals in the country,” Rahul added.

Earlier, Rahul visited Satyabhamapur, the birthplace of Madhusudan Das, an architect of modern Odisha, and paid tributes to Utkal Gaurab on his 176th birth anniversary.