Bhubaneswar: Corruption and unemployment have increased in Odisha in the last 25 years and people have become helpless, Bollywood actor and BJP MP Hema Malini said on Friday while addressing Ashirvad Samavesh, her first election campaign in Odisha, at Salia Sahi here.
Alleging that the BJD government in Odisha has become complacent, she said: “It’s sad that despite being a culturally-rich state with abundant natural resources and a beautiful environment, Odisha is lagging behind in tourism.”
“BJD thinks it has done a lot. But there is so much more to do. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is building a new India, bringing development across the country and the world is in awe. His schemes are for the development of all—women, poor, backward class, Dalit, Adivasis. But these have not reached Odisha,” she said.
The BJP’s star campaigner said Modi sanctioned Rs 18 lakh crore for Odisha, but unfortunately, she can’t see any development in the state, which she has been visiting for so many years now.
Trying to persuade people to vote for BJP both in the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, Hema said double-engine governments at the Centre and the state can ensure development of Odisha. “There would be all-round development once the double-engine government forms here. This will bring a massive change in the lives of people here. Odisha is also facing serious issues like malnutrition and the state government has not addressed it.”
The senior BJP leader was campaigning for Bhubaneswar BJP MP candidate Aparajita Sarangi and Bhubaneswar North MLA candidate Priyadarshi Mishra.
Aparajita claimed that there has been a drop in CM Naveen Patnaik’s popularity. “Yesterday, I saw the CM’s roadshow and there were hardly any people there in contrast to the overwhelming repose to PM Modi’s roadshow in the city. His popularity is dropping. The people of Odisha want an active, healthy CM and the one who can feel their pain,” she said.
Hema will also address Vijay Sankalp Samavesh at Kishore Nagar in Cuttack and later participate in a roadshow in Puri’s Pipili.
