Naveen, Dharmendra hit campaign trail in Bargarh

Sambalpur: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik and senior BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday hit the campaign trail in Bargarh parliamentary constituency, where elections will be held in the second phase on April 18.
While Naveen held two public meetings at Padampur in Padampur assembly constituency and Banipali in Attabira assembly constituency, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan held five meetings at Lachhida in Attabira assembly segment, Jharbandh in Padampur assembly segment, Bhatli in Bhatli assembly segment, Bijepur in Bijepur assembly segment and Bandhbahal in Brajarajnagar assembly seat under Bargarh parliamentary constituency.

Addressing the public meeting at Banipali in Attabira, Naveen hit out at the Modi-led BJP government and accused them of hatching a conspiracy to stop the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (Kalia) scheme. “The scheme will continue as long as I am there,” said Naveen.

He said while 40 lakh farmers have already benefitted under the KALIA scheme, the remaining farmers will get the benefit on the day when he will take oath as the chief minister after the 2019 elections.

Naveen termed the Modi-led BJP government as anti-farmer and said the house committee had gone to meet the Prime Minister over hike in minimum support price (MSP) of paddy but the committee had to come back disappointed after the prime minister did not meet them, he said.

He said though two Odias are ministers in the Union cabinet they have never raised their voice for their interest in Odisha. The BJD government has been working for the people of the state and taking the state on the path of development. He also appealed to the people to vote for BJD. He held a public meeting at Padampur after the Attabira meeting.

On the other hand, addressing the media after a public meeting at Bandhbahal, senior BJP leader and Union minister for petroleum and natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan said, “The Modi wave has gripped the entire state. People of Odisha will vote for a strong government at the Centre and development-oriented government in the state. People are with Modi. The people of the state will change the corruption-ridden government of Odisha, which has failed to provide basic amenities to the people even after 19 years”.

Pradhan also held a road show in Sambalpur. The road show started from Kunjelpara Chowk and culminated at Mudipara Chowk after moving in Old Town in Sambalpur.