Bhubaneswar, May 12 (Representative) Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has strongly rebutted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks, stating that the BJP cannot win the confidence of the people of Odisha in the next ten years. During his election meetings in Kandhamal, Bolangir, and Bargarh on Saturday, the Prime Minister made a scathing attack on Patnaik, accusing him of outsourcing the state government to someone who has no knowledge of Odia culture. Modi also claimed that Odia culture and pride are in danger in Odisha, and the state is lagging in development during Naveen Patnaik’s 25-year rule, despite its rich natural and mineral resources. The Prime Minister announced in public meetings that the countdown to the exit of the Naveen Patnaik government has started and invited people to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP Chief Minister on June 10 in Bhubaneswar. In a video message, Patnaik criticised the Prime Minister, asserting that with the blessings of Lord Jagannath and the love of the people, the BJD will form the government in the state for the sixth consecutive time.
The Chief Minister stated that the BJP cannot win the hearts and confidence of the people of the state for the next ten years, let alone this time. Patnaik, in his 24 years of rule, has never been seen making such an aggressive and harsh remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJD has also taken a step further, with its star campaigner and bureaucrat-turned-politician, V. K. Pandian, considered the most powerful next to the Chief Minister, announcing that Naveen Patnaik will take the oath as Chief Minister for a record sixth time on June 9 and inviting the Prime Minister to grace the swearing-in ceremony in Bhubaneswar. The Chief Minister emphasised that the people of Odisha have been with him for the last 24 years, while the BJP’s central leaders, including the Prime Minister, only remember them during elections. He asked the Prime Minister, “Do you remember the promises you made during the 2014 and 2019 elections?”
The Chief Minister reminded the people of Odisha to remember the promises you made, such as doubling the MSP for paddy for farmers, constructing a coastal highway, reducing price rises, creating two crore jobs, reducing the prices of LPG, petrol, and diesel, waiving GST, and improving mobile connectivity in the state. He pointed out that visiting and remembering the state only during elections will have no impact on the people. “With the blessings of Lord Jagannath and the love and affection of the people, the BJD,” he said, “will form the government in the state for the sixth consecutive time.” The Chief Minister regretted that the central government has not increased the royalty of coal in the last ten years, despite several representations from the state government. He said, “You had sanctioned Rs. 1000 crore for the promotion of the Sanskrit language but did not bother to release funds for the Odia language.” Furthermore, the Chief Minister mentioned that he had twice requested the centre accord classical status to Odissi music, but it was rejected. Patnaik expressed disappointment that, despite many brave sons of the state, the Prime Minister has not conferred Bharat Ratna on any of them, even forgetting to confer it upon Biju Patnaik.