Narendra Modi wipes sweat from his brow during an election campaign rally on a hot summer day in Berhampur on Monday. Reuters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on a campaign trail to Odisha on Monday, slammed the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) as well as the Congress party for looting the state for seven decades after Independence and keeping the ‘resource-rich’ state poor.

Addressing a massive public gathering in the Berhampur constituency, Modi also urged the electorate to vote for the double-engine government in the state.

Doubling down his attack on the ruling Naveen Patnaik dispensation, Modi said: “Note it down, BJD government’s expiry date is June 4. Today is May 6, one month later on June 6, the BJP CM-designate will be decided and the oath-taking ceremony for BJP CM will be held in Bhubaneswar on June 10.”

He further said, “I have come here to give the invitation for the oath-taking ceremony of BJP government. BJD is in its twilight years and Congress is ruined in Odisha while BJP has emerged as the new sun of expectations and hope.”

Modi further stated that only a BJP CM with an understanding of Odia culture can solve the problems of residents speedily.

He further said that Odisha BJP has issued a visionary manifesto keeping in view the aspirations of Odisha, dreams of youths, capability of women and girls of Odisha.

“As you know BJP fulfils what it commits. After the formation of the government, we will start fulfilling promises with all our potential. This is Modi’s guarantee,” he told the gathering.

He said that the loot by Congress and BJD leaders is responsible for the poverty in Odisha, which is otherwise rich with natural resources.

Modi further said: “The remote-controlled government of Manmohan Singh gave Rs 1 lakh crore during their ten-year rule while our government has given Rs 3.5 lakh crore to Odisha.

“The BJD government has either not been implementing the developmental programmes or hijacking them.

“Centre gave Rs 10,000 crore under Jal Jivan Mission but the BJD government couldn’t spend it properly. We supplied free rice to Odisha but the BJD government converted it into its own by putting their photos on those bags,” he pointed out.

Emphasising that his government remains committed to the vision of ‘Developed Odisha - Developed India’, Modi said that the people of Odisha see BJP as the “only party” that can fullfil their aspirations.

Modi insisted that a vote for the BJP will transform the growth trajectory of the state, as has been seen in Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh and many other states.

Modi said that Odisha needs a “double-engine government” and the ‘Sankalp Patra’ of the state BJP unit focuses on the region’s culture, tourism, and overall development.

“With BJD losing its sheen and Congress at a historic low, BJP is the only hope for the development of Odisha and India. Despite BJD-Congress ruling Odisha for 75 years its health and educational infra along with its culture and traditions is at a historic low,” he said.

Slamming the Congress and BJD, PM Modi added: “In Odisha, the Congress party ruled for nearly 50 years, followed by 25 years of BJD government.

“But what happened? Odisha has water, fertile land, a treasure trove of minerals beneath the ground, a long coastline, and trade centres like Berhampur. It’s a ‘Silk City’ and the food capital too.

“Here, there is history, heritage of culture as well. Every time I say what happened here despite such richness, the people of Odisha remained poor.

“The answer to this is the plunder by leaders of both Congress and then BJD.”

He mentioned that it was the BJP government that proudly appointed a daughter born in Odisha – President Droupadi Murmu – to the highest position in the country.

“When a BJP Chief Minister, rooted in Odia culture, leads Odisha, your issues will be promptly addressed. I have seen how the people of Odisha have transformed Surat. Therefore, I believe that the development of Odisha will continue,” said PM Modi.

In his rallies, Prime Minister Modi also spoke on further harnessing the oceanic potential of Odisha by strengthening the coastal economy.

“Odisha has been a large beneficiary for the ‘Sagarmala Yojana’. Now, the Odisha BJP has also resolved to bring Odisha among the top three tourism states in the country.”

Indo-Asian News Service