The BJP on Tuesday claimed that the party will form a government in Odisha in June after the announcement of the assembly election results, as the people of the state are fed up with the ruling BJD’s “corruption and misrule”, reported PTI news agency.
Addressing a press conference, BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda highlighted key promises made by the saffron party in its manifesto for the state and claimed that Odisha witnessed “rampant corruption in the form of PC (percentage commission) during the BJD government.” PTI reported.
Panda’s comment comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called himself “son of Lord Jagannath” and claimed that the expiry date of the BJD government in Odisha is June 4, the day they will be announced the results of the assembly elections, PTI reported. .
“Odisha would have become the country’s fifth largest economy in the last 25 years with its huge resources, but the ruling BJD has not achieved any results,” Panda alleged.
Panda, who is contesting from the Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat as a BJP candidate, also claimed that people of the state are “being threatened to vote for the BJP”.
“The people should not fear any threat as the Saffron Party is with them. The ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’ is with the people,” he said. Panda accused the state government of neglecting the agriculture sector and said the BJD had promised to ensure 33 per cent irrigation in each block 17 years ago, PTI reported.
“So far, the government has not kept its promises,” Panda said, adding that lack of irrigation facilities is the main reason for farmers’ low income.
Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik on Monday termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim that the BJP will form the government in Odisha as “a dream”.
Patnaik’s trusted aide VK Pandian said, “Naveen Patnaik will take oath as chief minister of Odisha for the sixth consecutive time between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm on June 9.” In an apparent attack on Patnaik and Pandian, Panda said, “Just two people cannot form a government traveling in a helicopter,” PTI reported.
BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said the BJP has been “day dreaming” of forming a government in the state, while the reality on the ground is different.
(With input from PTI)