Koraput: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday went all out to attack the ruling dispensation here, in a sharp departure from his earlier rallies in Odisha where he went soft on the Naveen Patnaik government.
Launching his Odisha campaign from this crucial constituency prone to Maoist menace, the Prime Minister asked voters to “punish” the BJD government at least thrice in his speech, regretting that despite remaining in power for two decades, it has failed to pull the state out of poverty and tackle the Maoist issue effectively.
He urged voters to bring a BJP government both at the Centre and in Odisha, saying a “double-engine” government can only usher in all-round development in Odisha.
The significance of the Koraput rally was Modi’s frontal attack on the ruling dispensation as he set aside his kid-glove approach towards it and blasted its perceived poor record in safeguarding the interests of the poor, women and the farming community. He was particularly critical of the state government’s refusal to implement the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat health initiative.
He said the state government has further deprived farmers in the state from the PM-Kisan scheme by not sharing the list of beneficiaries.
“I want to ask you. Should you not punish this government? Don’t you deserve a change for a better Odisha,” Modi asked, accusing the state government of involvement in the chit fund scam and providing protection to the mining mafia.
He interspersed his speech with messages in Odia and in the local dialect to woo voters. He said “Chowkidaar sajag achi” to counter the Congress’ allegation of “Chowkidaar chor hai“.
“In Koraput, the country has heard of incidents when patients do not get treatment and are humiliated after death. Your chowkidar is working day and night to change such conditions,” he said.
Referring to the recent achievement of India in space when a missile knocked down a satellite, Modi said Odisha along with the rest of the country was witness to “something great. But while the world takes notice, and we all are proud of our scientists, there are those handful of people who are just always blaming, questioning, criticizing, insulting such achievements,” he said.
“Pakistan is still counting the bodies of terrorists killed in India’s air strike in Balakot, but the opposition keeps asking for proof. Should you not condemn such behaviour of the opposition,” the PM said.
Tell me, do you want such people who insult our forces and our scientists, should they not be punished,” asked the Prime Minister, repeatedly asking his audience whether they wanted a weak government or a strong, decisive one.
“Do you want a mazboot (strong) government, or a majboor (helpless) government?” he asked.
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