Coming down heavily on the Biju Janata Dal-led government in Odisha over corruption, PM Narendra Modi said on Monday that the state government has given only land mafia, sand mafia, coal mafia and mining mafia to the state.
While addressing a rally in Cuttack, PM Modi claimed that the people of Odisha will create a new history by electing the BJP’s first Chief Minister in the state.
“The media have started saying that there will be a hung assembly, but that’s not true; the BJP will form the government in Odisha. If there is something that BJD has given to Odisha, it has given land mafia, sand mafia, coal mafia and mining mafia,” he said.
“Women have come here in such large numbers. First-time voters seem full of enthusiasm. Your enthusiasm and zeal show that, after 25 years, Odisha is going to create a new history. On June 10, the BJP’s first CM in Odisha will take an oath, it is certain. With your blessings, the Modi government will take the oath for the third time in Delhi,” PM Modi added.
As a jab at the state’s BJD administration, the prime minister declared, “The Cuttack people’s problems are not of concern to the BJD government.” Rivers round Cuttack on all sides, yet the availability of clean drinking water is an issue. Modi wants water to be available through taps, but they put up barriers.”
“These elections will punish the BJD for its misdeeds. The way the BJD government misrules and loots the people of Odisha has been completely exposed. Hardly there will be any block in Odisha from where people have not gone to Gujarat to get a job. The state is so prosperous, this election is to punish all those who have destroyed the state,” he added.
He went on to say that it is quite regrettable that a capable state like Odisha is experiencing such dire circumstances.
“It is quite regrettable that an otherwise capable state like Odisha is in such worse shape. Odisha is now in a very depressing scenario as a result of BJD,” PM Modi stated.
On Monday, the PM is visiting West Bengal and Odisha for the entire day.
In the midst of strict security and preparations, voting for the fifth round of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024 got underway on Monday morning across 49 parliamentary constituencies dispersed throughout six states and two Union Territories (UTs).
From April 19 to June 1, there will be seven phases to the Lok Sabha elections. June 4 is the date set aside for the counting.
A third term in office is sought by the BJP led by Narendra Modi, while the opposition INDIA alliance hopes to overthrow the party by putting an end to its momentum.