Who is your CM face, Naveen asks BJP

Bhubaneswar: BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday asked BJP who its Odisha chief ministerial candidate would be.
“Who will power the second engine of BJP in Odisha? The people of the state want to know. Who’s the chief ministerial candidate of BJP? Which is his/her constituency? Is BJP scared to announce its chief ministerial candidate?” asked Naveen during an election rally at Daspalla under Kandhamal assembly segment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and other senior party leaders have sought votes in the state by promising growth by a ‘double-engine’ government.

While BJP has not named anyone as its chief ministerial candidate, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan is widely perceived to be the face of BJP in Odisha. Dharmendra, who is not in the poll fray, has been leading the party’s campaign for the past several elections.

Naveen’s pot shot at BJP is significant as other BJD leaders have also criticized Dharmendra for not contesting elections. Naveen has banked heavily on Centre-bashing during his election campaign. He has accused the BJP-led NDA government of neglecting Odisha and also questioned the role of the Centre while sanctioning aid for the state after cyclone Titli that hit Odisha and neighbouring Andhra last October.

“They are talking about double-engine growth. They never came during cyclones Phailin and Hud Hud, droughts or floods. The Delhi engine went to Andhra during Titli. In Odisha, it comes during elections only and makes a noise,” he said.

Responding to Naveen’s jibe, BJP’s state in charge Arun Singh said BJD’s defeat was imminent. “Naveen’s statement also proves that BJP is set to win a comfortable majority in the state,” he said.