BJD will play key role in government formation at the Centre: Naveen Patnaik
Sujit Kumar Bisoyi | TNN | Mar 24, 2019, 15:55 IST
Naveen Patnaik at NayagarhBHUBANESWAR: BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday said that his party will play a key role in formation of next government at the Centre as he started campaigning for the forthcoming general and assembly elections from Nayagarh.
Naveen, who is seeking a fifth term as chief minister, also exuded confidence that his party will secure 21 of total 21 seats in the state. The regional party had won 20 Lok Sabha seats in 2014 while the BJP bagged the remaining Sundargarh seat.
“No national party will get majority this time to form the government at the Centre. People of Odisha and we (BJD) will have a major role in formation of government. It is a golden opportunity for us,” Naveen said addressing a huge gathering.
The BJD president’s tirade against the national parties assumes significance as both the Congress and BJP are leaving no stone unturned to wrest power in Odisha by highlighting failure of the state government on different fronts.
Raising the issue of central neglect to Odisha on different issues, Naveen launched a scathing attack on the NDA government for not fulfilling its promise made during the 2014 elections.
“In BJP’s manifesto ahead of 2014 elections, the number one promise was to accord special category status (SCS) to Odisha. They forgot it after assuming power. It was an injustice towards Odisha and its youth,” Naveen said.
Poor spending in railway sectors in Odisha despite generating highest revenues, non-revision of royalty on coal, Mahanadi, Polavaram, poor telecom, banking networks and condition of national highways were among other issues the chief minister highlighted to target the Narendra Modi government.
“The BJP leaders in Odisha are aware of the issues. But they cannot take up these issues with their high command. They cannot fight for the right of Odisha. They are being controlled by their high commands in New Delhi,” the chief minister pointed out.
In an apparent retaliation to Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s recent barbs that Prime Minister Narendra Modi “remote-controls” Naveen, the Odisha chief minister said people of the state are the high command of BJD.
“Our remote-control remains with the 4.5 crore people of the state. BJD is the party of the people of Odisha. Hence, we are fighting for the interest of the state,” Naveen added.
The chief minister also highlighted some of the welfare schemes of his government like Kalia, an income support scheme for farmers and Mission Shakti that aims economic empowerment of the rural women.
Naveen, who is seeking a fifth term as chief minister, also exuded confidence that his party will secure 21 of total 21 seats in the state. The regional party had won 20 Lok Sabha seats in 2014 while the BJP bagged the remaining Sundargarh seat.
“No national party will get majority this time to form the government at the Centre. People of Odisha and we (BJD) will have a major role in formation of government. It is a golden opportunity for us,” Naveen said addressing a huge gathering.
The BJD president’s tirade against the national parties assumes significance as both the Congress and BJP are leaving no stone unturned to wrest power in Odisha by highlighting failure of the state government on different fronts.
Raising the issue of central neglect to Odisha on different issues, Naveen launched a scathing attack on the NDA government for not fulfilling its promise made during the 2014 elections.
“In BJP’s manifesto ahead of 2014 elections, the number one promise was to accord special category status (SCS) to Odisha. They forgot it after assuming power. It was an injustice towards Odisha and its youth,” Naveen said.
Poor spending in railway sectors in Odisha despite generating highest revenues, non-revision of royalty on coal, Mahanadi, Polavaram, poor telecom, banking networks and condition of national highways were among other issues the chief minister highlighted to target the Narendra Modi government.
“The BJP leaders in Odisha are aware of the issues. But they cannot take up these issues with their high command. They cannot fight for the right of Odisha. They are being controlled by their high commands in New Delhi,” the chief minister pointed out.
In an apparent retaliation to Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s recent barbs that Prime Minister Narendra Modi “remote-controls” Naveen, the Odisha chief minister said people of the state are the high command of BJD.
“Our remote-control remains with the 4.5 crore people of the state. BJD is the party of the people of Odisha. Hence, we are fighting for the interest of the state,” Naveen added.
The chief minister also highlighted some of the welfare schemes of his government like Kalia, an income support scheme for farmers and Mission Shakti that aims economic empowerment of the rural women.
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