Rs 50,000 Cr ‘Looted’ Every Year In Odisha In 5T Name During BJD Rule; Claims BJP

Puri: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday alleged that corruption to the tune of Rs 50,000 crore took place every year in the name of 5T during the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government in Odisha.

Coming down heavily on the Naveen Patnaik-led regional party, BJP made this allegation in the political resolution adopted at the state executive committee meeting held in Puri.

Addressing a press meet after the two-day meet in Puri, senior BJP leader and Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said that the political resolution spoke about alleged misappropriation of over Rs 50,000 crore annually in the name of 5T.

Alleging that corruption was rampant in every sphere during the BJD regime, the saffron party claimed that key sectors like education and health were grossly neglected, while and women in the state became highly unsafe and insecure.

Despite being in power for 25 years, BJD failed to ensure bare minimum development in the state because of its lack of willpower and farsightedness, the BJP resolution claimed.

Claiming that the BJD rule was marked by anarchy and corruption, BJP said the party government will work sincerely to provide clean, transparent and good governance in the state.

Mounting a scathing attack on BJD, the saffron party in its resolution said that Odia Asmita and pride was in danger during the 25-year BJD rule in the state.

Stating that the elected people’s representatives were completely sidelined, the BJP resolution claimed that former CM Naveen Patnaik ruled the state with the help of some non-Odias.

Businessmen of the state were sidelined and importance was given to people from outside the state, it said.

Taking a dig at Naveen Patnaik over the formation of a shadow cabinet, it claimed that the whole exercise is nothing but to hoodwink the people Odisha once again.

BJP in its resolution asserted that the party government will keep the promises made in its election manifesto. Farmers will soon get Rs 3100 as MSP per quintal of paddy and women will receive a voucher of Rs 50,000 very soon.

The saffron party noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to transform Odisha into the number one state in the country.

Noting that Odisha will celebrate its 100th year of formation after 12 years in 2036, Pujari said as 1200 artisans took 12 years to complete the Konark temple, BJP has also set a target to transform the state in 12 years.

Over 12,000 BJP workers from the grassroots level to the Chief Minister will wholeheartedly work for development and form a new and modern Odisha by 2036, the resolution added.

No senior BJD leader was immediately available for comment on the corruption allegation made by BJP in its resolution.