Modi declares expiry date for Odisha’s BJD govt

Berhampur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi set the tone for what he sees as the imminent change in Odisha’s political landscape. He proclaimed that June 4th marks the expiration of the Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government in the state, ushering in what he anticipates as a new era under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“Today is May 6 and after results on June 4, the BJP’s CM candidate will be finalised on June 6 and on June 10, the BJP’s CM will take oath and I have come to give an invitation to you all to attend the sworn-in ceremony,” said Modi while addressing a rally at Kanisi under Berhampur parliamentary constituency.

Modi extended a fervent invitation to the citizens of Odisha to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP’s Chief Minister in Bhubaneswar on June 10th.

“I have come here to invite you for the swearing in ceremony of BJP CM in Bhubaneswar on June 10. On the very day, we will implement the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana which the Naveen Patnaik government has been resisting. This son of Lord Jagannath will take care all senior citizens under this scheme. You no longer have to worry about your parents,” he said.

“In Odisha, two ‘Yagna’ are happening together. One for a strong government in India and another in Odisha led by BJP. Your enthusiasm shows that the double-engine government is going to form in Odisha for the first time…,” he said.

The Prime Minister painted a picture of a state brimming with potential yet stifled by decades of mismanagement. He lambasted the ruling BJD and its predecessors, the Congress, for what he termed as “rampant loot,” alleging that they have failed to harness Odisha’s abundant resources for the benefit of its people.

 “Who is responsible for it? Why are the people of resources-rich Odisha still poor? The answer is rampant loot by Congress, which ruled the state for 50 years, and then the BJD for next 25 years. Small netas now own big buildings. The BJD is sinking, while Congress is a spent force and the BJP is the only ray of hope for the people,” he said while blaming the current government for distress migration, lack of doctors in hospitals and high dropout rates in schools.

He further alleged that the present regime does not care about the women. “The Modi government provides Rs 6,000 to pregnant women under Janani Suraksha Yojana. But the BJD government is denying the women here of this benefit by not implementing the scheme.”

In a strategic move, Modi appealed to the pride of Odisha’s culture and tradition, asserting that a leader deeply rooted in the state’s ethos would expedite its progress. He underscored the BJP’s track record in other states, promising to replicate similar success in Odisha.

“A person, who lives, understands and takes pride in Odia culture and tradition, can help resolve the problems of Odisha at a faster pace. Therefore, the swearing in should be of a BJP CM. People of the state are extremely talented. I have seen how hardworking are the people of the state, many of who are working in Surat, and they can accelerate the process of development here. I urge you to allow BJP to serve you for once and it is Modi’s guarantee that Odisha will be turned into the number 1 state in the next five years,” he said, giving the example of its government in Uttar Pradesh and Assam.

He further said that the BJP government at the Centre had never compromised on the development of Odisha. “The UPA government, which was remotely run by Sonia Gandhi, gave only 1 lakh crore in 10 years while the funds allotted to the state during the BJP regime was more than 3.5 lakh crore. Sanctioning funds and making schemes at the Centre are not enough, we need a good government in the state to implement those and put the funds to good use. The central government gave Rs 10,000 crore to Odisha under Jal Jeevan Mission. The BJD government here could not spend that money properly. Modi sends money to build roads in villages, but here the condition of roads is still bad. Modi sends money for free rice from Delhi, but BJD government pastes its stickers on this scheme. They engage in such bemani (deceit) because they have done nothing for Odisha,” he said.

“Hinjli lacks adequate cold storage and water facilities,” he added in an indirect attack on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who has been representing the Assembly segment since 2000.

Modi asserted that the BJP does what it says. “After forming the government here in Odisha, we will implement the declarations made in the manifesto. This is Modi’s guarantee,” while referring to the visionary Sankalp Patra (manifesto) of its state unit, which includes assurances to the tribals, farmers, women and unemployed youth.

Modi said the BJP has very proudly given the highest post of the country to the daughter of Odisha. “It is my good fortune that President Droupadi Murmu Ji regularly gives me feedback for the development of Odisha. I feel that I will be able to do a lot for the state under her guidance,” he said.

The PM arrived in Bhubaneswar last evening and is scheduled to address another rally in Nabarangpur in the afternoon.

Berhampur, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and Koraput will be going to polls on May 13.