‘Time For Change’: Odisha BJP Unveils ‘Chargesheet’ Against Naveen Patnaik Govt

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha BJP on Wednesday unveiled ‘chargesheet’ against 24-year-old Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government.

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav released the 60-page chargesheet title, ‘Kete Dina Au Sahiba, Parivartan Aniba’ (How long do we tolerate, it’s time for a change), pinpointing the failures of the state government, in presence of state unit president Manmoahn Samal, Odisha election in-charge Vijay Pal Singh Tomar and party’s National Vice-President Baijayant Panda.

“In the last 25 years, Odisha government has failed to increase farmers’ income, strengthen irrigation facility, set up more cold storages and extend benefits to farmers. The BJD government has failed to achieve its promised target of providing irrigation facilities and setting up cold storages in 314 blocks. It has also failed miserably in making the state safe for women in the last 24 years. The rise in the number of missing children is another area of concern,” Yadav said at the function organised in Bhubaneswar.

Samal said that the Naveen Patnaik government’s policies are against farmers, youths, students and the poor. “The BJD government has failed in its responsibility towards the people of Odisha. The 40 lakh families, who were victims of the chit fund scam, are yet to be repaid despite the government forming a corpus fund. Democracy has taken a beating under this regime. A handful of officers have created terror in the state and ministers, MLAs and MPs are reduced to setting up tents and managing traffic during their programmes,” he said, adding that the fight is for Odisha’s asmita (pride).

Speaking to the media, BJP Kendrapada MP candidate Baijayant Panda said that the chargesheet has been prepared after taking feedback from people of the state. “Through statistics, we have shown how Odisha is lagging behind other states in every field. Odisha ranks lowest when it comes to safety of women. Violence against children is also rampant in the state,” he said. 

Citing the example of Jal Jeevan Mission, Baijayant said that programmes of the Narendra Modi government has propelled the country on the path of development. “But Odisha still lags behind when it comes to piped drinking water problem. Labour migrants continue to be bane for the state. People are forced to leave the state in absence of employment opportunities,” he said.

Speaking about a shocking disclosure in the report, the former MP alleged that electricity is be supplied to Tamil Nadu at a lower cost whereas people of Odisha, where it is being produced, are forced to pay more for the same.